December 4, 2001

Officers Killed In WTC Receive NYPD Medal of Honor

The NYPD's annual Medal Day ceremony took on a special meaning this year in the wake of the World Trade Center attack.

Of the 30 Medals of Honor awarded Tuesday, 23 went to officers who died in the September 11 attack. The medal is the department's highest award and is usually given a full year after an officer's death.

"These medals belong to you," Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik told the officers' families, who accepted the awards. "They are a symbol of the endless respect and gratitude that we feel for the people we have lost. We will never forget them, and we will never forget the families."

The expanded ceremony was filled with tears and cheers, and brought back the raw emotions of the tragedy.

"It's going to be a very painful and very painful holiday," said Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. "Hanukah, Christmas, these are days in which families have traditional things that they do together, and they're going to be people missing. It's going to mean tremendous pain."

Another medal went to Officer John Kelly, who was killed in July of last year when his squad car crashed into a telephone pole while he chased a stolen motorcycle.

Fifty-six other police officers were also honored Tuesday for other heroic acts.

The ceremony was scheduled for September 26, but was postponed following the terror attacks. Kerik said the officers cited for past bravery unrelated to to the September 11 attacks wouldn't participate unless the World Trade Center heroes were included.

"Every single one looked at me and said, 'I don't feel like being honored and can't be applauded. I feel like we've taken a tremendous loss.'" Kerik said.