The day started beautifully. A cool, crisp morning with a bright blue sky. As the Police Lieutenant at the Staten Island Police Command, I never could have imagined what was to come.
Initially, a Police mobilization of manpower from all facilities was necessary. I asked Sgt Frank Heekin and Police Officer Mark Roman to immediately respond to the World Trade Center. As they were in route the Towers began to collapse. We now felt the full magnitude of what was happening.
All hell broke loose!
I could not help but think that I had just sent those officers to their death. Miraculously, they both returned later that evening. But the look on their faces was quite evident to me on what they witnessed.
That day still haunts me till this day.
Inspector Nicholas Tagarelli
PAPD retired
