Richard Ockovic was a New York City Police Department Detective on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade center Towers were attacked and destroyed by terrorists. On that fateful day in US History, 2, 753 people died including 343 m3mb3rs of the NYFD; 23 members of the NYPD; and 37 members of the Port Authority Police. The following are Richs’ words describing his experience:
“On September 11, 2001, I was in my office having a roll and coffee and enjoying general conversation with my associates. At approximately 0845 hrs., we were called and told of a plane hitting the World Trade Towers. We watched briefly from our eight-floor window when we saw what appeared to be a missile hitting the second tower. We were later told that a second plane was the cause of the explosion. This was surely a terrorist attack. My fellow Detective officers and I went immediately to the scene to do what we do—investigating crimes and assisting people in need not knowing this would be a nation-wide investigation. We were not prepared for the horrific moments to come. We assisted people on the street by rending them aid and advising them on what they should do. We went closer to the towers to assist other officers, firefighters and EMS workers. While standing on the corner of Barclay Street and West Broadway, which is one block from Tower One, we heard this loud roar. When we looked up, we saw the first of the towers beginning to fall. We ran for cover, and I didn’t get far when we were hit by flying debris. I sought cover under a Postal Truck and was hoping the vehicle would protect me from any falling debris. I was unsure of this outcome. After some twenty minutes or so of pure terror and darkness the air began to clear and didn’t know if I was dead or alive. There was a deafening silence all around. I crawled out from under this truck and looked around at all the devastation. I was not able to find my partners but did find some other officers and began to search for those who might be injured. A short time later a second roar. The second tower was beginning to fall. I didn’t want to go through this terror again. I was able to gain refuge inside a building till the second dust cloud cleared. I thought it was all over. The air cleared for a second time and we left the security of the building to assist those in need. Then a third roar started. I didn’t know what to expect or where to run. I couldn’t see anything, but could hear the deafening roar. The across the building tops were our boys in their fighter jets. I can’t express the feeling from with-in knowing they were there. I felt safe for the first time that day.”
Flowing that day Rich continued to work long hours with little sleep to keep the city and his community safe. Thanks to the heroic actions of all the First Responders from all the agencies involved, 17,000 were saved and given a new lease on life. Thank God for Rich and all the others who heroically answered the call of duty on that terrible day in our history.