In Memory of Sirius

"Sirius", Police K9, Badge Number 17.

Police K9, Sirius, was a bomb detection dog with the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department. He and his partner, Police Officer David Lim, were assigned to the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Sirius and Officer Lim were at their Port Authority Police Station in the basement of the World Trade Center's South Tower. When Officer Lim heard the sound of an explosion, he thought a bomb had gone off inside the building, and he commented to Sirius, "one must have gotten by us."

Thinking he'd be more effective freehanded, Officer Lim left Sirius in his kennel telling him, "I'll be back to get you." as he rushed off to help with the rescue effort. At that time, he couldn't think of a safer place for his canine companion to be than in the basement while he was up doing the rescues.

Officer Lim didn't make it back though, he became trapped in the falling debris of the North Tower and wasn't pulled out until more than five hours later. Sirius, however, perished in the tragedy, leaving Officer Lim without his faithful partner.

"He was very special," Officer Lim said, "All dogs go home with us, so not only was he my partner, but he was also my pet and my friend." The bond between a K-9 and his master is special, and while David realizes the human tragedy will overshadow the death of his dog, he still misses Sirius. "We were very close; no matter where I went, he went. Whatever I asked him to do, he did. He never complained. Sometimes we'd be working for long hours, searching hundreds of cars or trucks, and he'd just look at me like, 'What do you want me to do now?'"

On January 22, 2002, Sirius' body was recovered. When David was notified that the kennel had been found, he rushed to Ground Zero to be there for the recovery of his dog. From all accounts, Sirius was killed instantly. He received full Police Honors when his body was carried out. All the great machines were silenced, everyone lined up and saluted as Officer Lim carried his flag draped companion to a waiting police truck.

It was a tough day for David, but he fulfilled the promise he made to Sirius back on September 11, 2001. David said, "He waited and I came back." The American Flag which had covered the body of Sirius was given to Officer Lim, who says he will cherish it always.

A Memorial Service for Sirius was held on April 24, 2002 at Liberty State Park (North Field) in Jersey City, New Jersey. Earlier that month, Sirius had been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross at the British Embassy in Manhattan. Almost one hundred police dogs, many wearing badges covered by black ribbon to match those of their handlers and some from as far away as California, filed past the wooden urn containing the ashes of Sirius, as their handlers stopped to salute. Then, David, who had been Sirius' handler for two and a half years, was presented with his companion's stainless steel water bowl, which had been found in his kennel.

"I grieve for those I knew. I grieve for those I never knew. But I grieve the most for the best partner a cop ever had. Sirius is still waiting for me." David Lim.


Officer Lim with Sirius.

K-9 Sirius 9-11-2001 Lapel Pin
This lapel pin is made of the best quality materials possible to remember Sirius, the 9/11 dog hero.



Dog Heroes of September 11th: A Tribute to America's Search and Rescue Dogs
This emotional book is a wonderful tribute to all the dog heroes of September 11th.

In Memory of Howard Lee Kane

Howard Lee Kane was 40 years old and from Hazlet, New Jersey. (Born: Englewood, New Jersey).

Howard was the comptroller at Windows on the World on the 107th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Having struggled with Crohn's disease for most of his life, Howard had little patience for anyone in a bad mood. His tonic was laughter, and whether it was a new joke he would e-mail to friends or a funny story about that day at the office, he had the gift to make people smile.

His wife, Lori, said he loved his job because it combined his passion for cooking with a view he called "halfway to heaven."

In Memory of Jennieann Maffeo

Jennieann Maffeo was 40 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. Jennieann worked for UBS PaineWebber.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Jennieann was waiting for a bus near the twin towers. When the first plane hit the North Tower, she was doused with burning jet fuel.

In a second she was naked, dazed, her arms outstretched, her hands swollen and blistered beyond recognition, her eyes blackened and welded shut.

Ronald Clifford, from Cork, was in the South Tower lobby of the Trade Centre's Marriott Hotel when the first plane hit, "I saw this woman come out of the haze, and she couldn't see, she was very badly burned. Her name was Jenniann Maffeo. Over 98 per cent of her body was burned. The zipper on her sweater was welded into her body."

Ronald rushed to help her. Jennieann turned to him, "Sacred heart of Jesus, pray for me. Don't let me die" she said. Ronald read her the Lord's Prayer and stayed with her until rescue workers got her to an ambulance.

Jennieann fought for life for 41 days in a burn unit at Presbyterian Hospital- Cornell Medical Center before passing away on October 22, 2001.

"We had a short miracle," said her sister, Andrea Maffeo. "We were able to be with her. We talked to her, although she couldn't talk to us."

Mr Clifford, survived 9/11, but lost his sister Ruth and niece Juliana, both of whom were on United Airlines Flight 175.

In Memory of Debra Lynn Gibbon

Debra Lynn Gibbon was 43 years old and from Hackettstown, New Jersey. (Born: Orange, New Jersey).

Debra was a senior vice president at Aon Corporation. She worked on the 105th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Debra was leading a business meeting in the South Tower. When the North Tower burst into flames after being hit by a hijacked airplane, she called her brother, Adam Fischer, and asked him to let the rest of the family know she was OK.

"God bless you," Adam remembers telling his sister. "Please get out of there."

The second plane struck her building before she could.

In Memory of Jennifer L. Howley and her unborn child

Jennifer L. Howley was 34 years old and from New Hyde Park, NY. (Born: Lincoln, Nebraska). Jennifer worked for Aon Corporation on the 92nd floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Jennifer faced many obstacles in her life. Becoming deaf in her right ear as a toddler and her mother dying from a brain aneurysm when Jennifer was six years old, tested her during her childhood. As she grew through adolescence towards adulthood, her confidence and resiliency steadied her along the way. She ventured out on her own as a high school graduate and moved to New York at age 18. Jennifer believed she could make it in the Big Apple with a little fortitude and a lot of hard work.

Jennifer married Brian Howley in 1997 and they were expecting their first baby in January 2002.

Jennifer will always be remembered for her beautiful contagious smile.

In Memory of Kaleen Elizabeth Pezzuti

Kaleen Elizabeth Pezzuti was 28 years old and from Fair Haven, New Jersey. Kaleen worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Kaleen's fiance, Matt Grzymalski, also worked at the same firm.

The couple had met as bond brokers at Cantor Fitzgerald and were at work on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center collapsed.

On the night before, on September 10, Kaleen spoke to one of her best friends and told her, "He's the one."

"We are certainly hoping they were holding hands or hugging or wrapped in each other's arms somehow." Patti Ann Valerio ( Matt's sister).

In Memory of Rosa Maria Feliciano

Rosa Maria Feliciano was 30 years old and from New York, NY. Rosa worked for Marsh & McLennan on the 96th floor in North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower, impacting between the 93rd and 99th floors.

Rosa's husband, Isaac, was at work as a groundskeeper at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Issac watched the World Trade Center burn and collapse.

Isaac was accepting his loss, raising his two daughters as a single parent and struggling to get life back together. His family held a memorial service for Rosa, convinced her remains would never be found. But in January 2002, there was a proper burial at after the medical examiner identified her.

Rosa was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, beneath a simple headstone. Issac tends her grave as part of his job.

And then in 2005, just before Mother's Day, more of Rosa's remains were identified.

"You start to wonder, why wasn't it me instead of her?" Issac says. "You feel guilty about something you did or didn't do."

In Memory of Stephen Patrick Driscoll

Barry Driscoll with his father Stephen.

Stephen Patrick Driscoll was 38 years old and from Lake Carmel, New York. Stephen was a police officer for New York City Police Department, Emergency Services Squad 4.

Stephen was one of 23 New York City Police Department officers who died trying to rescue others at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

PO Driscoll and many other emergency workers took part in what has been considered the greatest rescue effort in America's history. Steve and his comrades entered the South Tower of the World Trade Center and while performing their duties, they lost their lives when the building came down.

Now aged 25, Barry Driscoll has followed in his selfless father's footsteps and joined the NYPD's ranks, taking his dad's shield number. Barry has been given badge number 17482 and assigned to the 44th Precinct in The Bronx.

In Memory of Sean Paul Rooney

Sean Paul Rooney was 50 years old and from Stamford, Connecticut. (Born: Buffalo, New York). Sean worked for Aon Corporation on the 98th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

At 9.01am on September 11, 2001, Sean called his wife, Beverly, and left a voice mail message, "Hey Beverly, this is Sean, in case you get this message. There has been an explosion in World Trade One, that's the other building. It looks like a plane struck it. It's on fire at about the 90th floor. And it's, it's - it's horrible. Bye."

At 9.02am Sean called back, "Honey, this is Sean again. Looks like we'll be in this tower for a while." He paused, as a public announcement in the background could be heard. "It's secure here, but..." He stopped again to listen, "if the conditions warrant on your floor you may wish to start an orderly evacuation."

At 9.03am United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower.

To get to safety, Sean made his way to the 105th floor of the building, trying to reach the roof, when he became trapped. After Beverly learned about the attacks, she went home and stayed on the phone with Sean, who was her childhood sweetheart, until she heard the tower collapse.

Beverly herself was killed on February 12, 2009 in the crash of Continental flight 3407 outside of Buffalo, New York. She was traveling to Buffalo for a gathering with her family to mark what would have been Sean's 58th birthday on February 15.

She had met with President Barack Obama just a few days before her death in her role as an advocate for those affected by 9/11.

"She was an inspiration to me and to so many others." President Obama.

In Memory of Paul Ortiz, Jr.

Paul Ortiz, Jr. was 21 years old and from New York, NY.

On September 11, 2001, Paul had been on the top floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, setting up monitors and computers for a convention at the Windows on the World restaurant.

Moments after American Airlines Flight 11 hit the tower, Paul called his father to say he was fine.

Paul Ortiz, Sr. remembers the conversation. "He asked, 'Dad, did you hear what happened? A plane hit the World Trade Center'. And I said, 'how do you know?' "Because I'm here,' he said." Ortiz Sr. said his son told him not to worry, that firefighters were on their way. That was the last time they spoke. "I was sure he had managed to get out. We waited, waited and waited, and we never saw him again. I now understand that he never had a chance," he said.

Paul's body was never identified.

Paul was devoted to his wife, Star, and their infant daughter, Rebecca.

"Hi. As you may know, I was once married to this wonderful man. He sure was a gift from god. I can't explain to everyone of you how much this man meant to me. He is my world and my love. Even though i've moved on, he still remains in my heart. It's like that saying, "You never know what you have till you've lost it." Star (Paul's wife)

In Memory of Beth Ann Quigley

Beth Ann Quigley was 25 years old and from New York, New York. (Born: Red Bank, New Jersey). Beth worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Although Beth was very happy with her position at Cantor Fitzgerald, she knew that continuing formal education was critical to her long-term success. She began a MBA program at New York University's Stern School of Business only weeks before September 11, 2001.

The Beth Ann Quigley Memorial Scholarship awards go to top eighth-grade female students at St. Leo the Great School. "We give the girls a letter that tells them about Beth. The winners get to know Beth that way and become more aware of what happened," said Beth's mother, "We're pleased with the scholarship program. We get back beautiful thank you notes and the first girl who received the award nearly 10 years ago just received a Master's degree."


Beth's granite stone located at the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens in New Jersey.

In Memory of Diane M. Simmons

Diane M. Simmons was 53 years old and from Great Falls, Virginia. Diane was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77.

On September 11, 2001, Diane and her husband, George, boarded American Airlines Flight 77 at Dulles International Airport headed for Los Angeles, the first leg of a journey to Hawaii. Diane's father had recently died, and she was going to spread her father's ashes alongside her mother's.

In Memory of Virginia May Jablonski

Virginia May Jablonski was 49 years old and from Matawan, New Jersey. (Born Brooklyn, New York).

Virginia was assistant vice president for Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc on the 94th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Virginia and her husband Barry loved to travel. Any other year, they would have been on vacation in September but in 2001 they held off until October to celebrate their birthdays.

"She was the best," Barry said. "I miss her a lot."

In Memory of Scott Larsen

Scott Larsen was 35 years old and from Queens N.Y. Scott was a firefighter for New York City Fire Department, Ladder 15 (Rotation) Ladder 163 (Assigned).

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Scott was working on rotation at Ladder 15 in lower Manhattan, the second company to make it to the World Trade Center.

His wife, Carolann was pregnant at the time of 9/11. Two days later September 13 she gave birth to another son. She named him "August" after her husband's father, the name Scott wanted.


August Larsen makes a crayon rubbing of his father's name from the 9/11 memorial.

In Memory of Jennifer De Jesus

Jennifer De Jesus was 23 years old and from New York, NY. Jennifer worked for Morgan Stanley on the 59th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

"Hello, My dear friend and Co-worker. I remember calling you when I saw the plane hit tower two to make sure you were out of there but I never got a response back. I never forget how much fun we used to have and how much we laughed. You had the most beautiful smile I have ever seen and I always told you, thank you for the good memories I have of you. RIP my dear friend and hopefully will see each other one day to have lunch together. You are so missed!" Maritza Baez.

"Why can't you just come back? I had sooo much I needed to learn from you. These questions come in my head every passing day. I miss you, mom! And I love you sooo much! COME BACK! You are dearly missed." Jacinda De Jesus (Jennifer's daughter).

In Memory of Orio Joseph Palmer

Orio Joseph Palmer was 45 years old and from Valley Stream, New York. Orio was a Battalion Chief of the New York City Fire Department.

On September 11, 2001, Orio led the team of firefighters that reached the 78th floor of the South Tower, the floor where the plane had struck the building.

After arriving at the South Tower of the World Trade Center, Orio and his men took the one remaining operating elevator to the 44th floor sky deck, as high as it would go. There they climbed from the 44th floor to the 78th floor, putting out fires along the way while trying to save others.

Orio reached the 78th floor sky lobby and he was able to free a group of civilians trapped in an elevator at 9.58am. Orio radioed that the area was open to the 79th floor, "well into the impact zone", and reported "numerous civilian fatalities in the area". One minute later, at 9.59am, the South Tower collapsed, killing everyone still inside.

On their refrigerator, Debbie Palmer (Orio's wife), still keeps the saying her husband taped there before he led the men of his battalion to the World Trade Center. "Live while you're alive."

In Memory of Sarah Khan

Sarah Khan was 32 years old and from Queens, New York. (Born: Guyana). Sarah worked as a cafeteria manager for Forte Food which ran the Cantor Fitzgerald dining rooms on the 101st floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and crashed it into the northern façade of the North Tower, striking between the 93rd and 99th floors.

Sarah's body was never identified in the rubble. That still pulls at her husband, Nazam Khan, who thinks it helps explain why the Trade Center site is still so compelling for him. "She loved the view," he said. "It was beautiful."

In Memory of Colleen L. Fraser

Colleen L. Fraser was 51 years old and from Elizabeth, New Jersey. Colleen was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93.

Colleen was born with an inherited bone disorder that kept her height at 4 feet, 6 inches, and made it a little harder for her to get around. However, she was a nationally-known advocate for the disabled and helped draft the "Americans with Disabilities Act."

On September 11, 2001, Colleen was flying to a grant-writing seminar in Reno, Nevada, hoping to become more effective as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living.

In Memory of Charles J. Mauro

Charles J. Mauro was 38 years old and from Staten Island, New York. (Born: Brooklyn, New York).

Charles was the restaurant purchasing director for Windows on the World on the 106th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, everyone present in the restaurant when American Airlines Flight 11 penetrated the North Tower survived the plane's impact but perished either because of smoke inhalation during the ensuing conflagration, jumping or falling to their deaths, or the eventual collapse of the tower 102 minutes later, as all passages to below the impact zone were blocked.

"Charlie Mauro, my husband, my life was the most loving, giving and caring person you'd ever have the pleasure to meet. He filled my life with hope and happiness. His death leaves a deep scar in my heart that can never be replaced. He was my best friend, and life will never be the same without him. He touched a thousand lives, and we are all the better for it. God bless him wherever he may be. I hope he can rest in peace. I miss you, Pumpkinhead. All my love to you forever". (Charles's wife Barbara).

In Memory of Lisa Fenn Gordenstein

Lisa Fenn Gordenstein was 41 years old and from Needham, Massachusetts. (Born: Boston, Massachusetts). Lisa was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Lisa awoke early to leave for the airport. Lisa was traveling on business on American Airlines Flight 11. But before she left her home, at 5 am, she insisted on waking her two daughters, Samantha and Carly, and kissing them goodbye. "Thank God she did," her husband said.

At 08:46 the aircraft crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The night before, Lisa's husband found a note that his wife had slipped under his office door. It was a poem about maintaining a positive attitude no matter what happens in life.

In Memory of Todd Christopher Weaver

Todd Christopher Weaver was 30 years old and from New York, NY. (Born: Ann Arbor, Michigan). Todd worked for Fiduciary Trust Company International on the 94th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Todd's colleagues were in California for a meeting on September 11, 2001, and Todd had been asked to stay back and look after the office. He was in the building as United Airlines Flight 175 crashed though the 78th – 84th floors.

Todd's wallet and wedding ring were recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center.

In Memory of Laura Gilly

Laura Gilly was 32 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. Laura worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 103rd floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Gilly had traveled the world as a flight attendant for Tower Airlines. Gilly left the airline in 2000 and took a job in technical support at Cantor Fitzgerald.

"We spent so much time worrying about her flying here and there, and to have her go like this: killed by a plane as she sat in an office building. All she wanted was a real job at a desk in a building." Phyllis Gilly (Gilly's mother).

"She had such a positive outlook. If you were worried about something stupid, she'd say, 'Just get over it. I have a choice to be happy or not, and I am going to choose to be happy.'" Danielle Hoffman (Gilly's friend).

In Memory of Bernard C. Brown II

Bernard C. Brown II was 11 years old and from Washington, D.C. (Born: Tampa, Florida). Bernard was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77.

Bernard was clever, a quick wit, the kind of boy who kept his teachers on their toes. Estella Cleveland, who taught his fifth-grade class at Leckie Elementary School in Southeast Washington, loved him.

"He used to give the fourth-grade teacher fits. But he turned it around last year. Everybody noticed it," Cleveland said.

That's why Cleveland gave Bernard's name to her best friend at Leckie, sixth-grade teacher Hilda Taylor, when Taylor asked whom she should take on a 4 day National Geographic trip to California.

"He was fun-loving," she said. "He was the joy of the class."

Sinita Brown (Bernard's mother), recalls September 11, 2001:

"Everybody was calling me at my job because they knew my husband worked at the Pentagon". A golf outing had Bernard Sr. out of the office that day. But Sinita Brown's relief quickly turned to grief when she learned it was her son's flight that hit the Pentagon.

Remembering 9/11: 10 Year Commemorative Collection

On the 10-year anniversary of September 11, 2001, National Geographic looks back at the tragic events that redefined our nation, revealing emotional stories of loss and the spirit of hope.

The collection includes new programs including: 9/11: Where Were You, Guiliani's 9/11 and Witness: DC 9/11, featuring the powerful, immersive stories of people who were intricately associated with and impacted by the events - from the highest echelons trying to stop the attacks to the ordinary people caught in the middle. Also included in the collection is the acclaimed 3-hour Inside 9/11, the first documentary to provide a comprehensive account of the events to shed light on how 9/11 happened—from the earliest stage of terrorist assembly to the breakdowns in the CIA, the FBI and airport security.

Remembering 9/11: 10-Year Commemorative Collection features powerful footage and first-hand accounts to remember those who were lost, to shed light on how 9/11 happened and to celebrate the spirit of hope.

In Memory of Sita Nermalla Sewnarine

Sita Nermalla Sewnarine was 37 years old and from Brooklyn, New York. (Born: Berbice, Guyana). Sita worked as a disaster recovery agent for Fiduciary Trust Company International on the 97th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.


Sita Nermalla Sewnarine sat at her desk in the WTC.

Sita was a single mother to 5 year old Vicky. Sita tried to give her daughter the best of everything, working long hours in the information technology department of Fiduciary Trust, yet still finding time to take her to ballet and swimming classes, and on vacations to Florida.

"MOMMY! I miss you soooooooo much. I will always LUVVV you for the rest of my life! Victoria (Sita's daughter).

In Memory of Lesley Anne Thomas

Lesley Anne Thomas was 40 years old and from Hoboken, New Jersey. (Born: Summersby, Australia). Lesley worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Lesley's husband retrieved a message on a mobile phone from his wife. In a calm voice, Lesley said the building had been struck by a plane and there was total chaos in the office. She was calling to say she loved him and that she was all right and would see him when it was over.

Lesley's husband rushed to the World Trade Center. He arrived in the vicinity as the building in which his wife worked collapsed. No remains have ever been found of Lesley.

There is a star named Lesley Anne Thomas in the constellation of Centaurus.

In Memory of John Kevin McAvoy

John Kevin McAvoy was 47 years old and from Staten Island, New York. John was a firefighter with New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, John was in the firehouse in street clothes and off duty when the first plane hit. He and another fireman put on their gear, hailed a cab and went to the World Trade Center by cab.

"He loved his job more than anything," John's wife said. "He listened to the scanner all day long so he wouldn't miss anything. He loved the excitement of the job. He could have retired four years ago, but he wanted to stay on."

In Memory of Jane Louise Simpkin

Jane Louise Simpkin was 36 years old and from Wayland, Massachusetts. (Born: United Kingdom). Jane was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175.

On September 11, 2001, at 9:03am United Airlines flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center, after the plane was hijacked by five terrorists. Jane was sat next to one of the terrorists.

"Her mind was lovable, and strong, and opinionated," said Jane's mother, who is still a Wayland resident. "She was just marvelous."

In Memory of Catherine Fairfax MacRae

Catherine Fairfax MacRae was 23 years old and from New York, NY. Catherine worked as a research analyst for Fred Alger Management, Inc. on the 93rd floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower, impacting between the 93rd and 99th floors.

Catherine's father described his daughter as "bright and beautiful, gentle and kind, the epitome of all that is good in the world."

In Memory of Kathryn L. LaBorie

Kathryn L. LaBorie was 44 years old and from Providence, Rhode Island. (Born: Colorado). Kathryn was the lead flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 175.

On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 175 was deliberately crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

10 years later, Jessica Rhodes talked about her niece, Kathryn L. LaBorie. She remembered a radiant smile and infinite compassion, and suggested that now, 10 years on, it is time to turn a corner.

"Although she may not ever be found, she will never ever be lost to her family and her friends," Jessica said after she read a segment of the list of the dead at ground zero. "Today we honor her by letting go of the sadness over losing her and embracing the joy of having known her."