- Dominick Pezzulo
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Dominick A. Pezzullo Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) 1965 – 2001 Place of birth New York, New York Years of service 2000–2001 Rank 2000 - Commissioned as a Patrolman Awards 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor See also: World Trade Center (film)See also: Will JimenoDominick A. Pezzullo (1965 – September 11, 2001) was a Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) officer who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.[1] His final hours were portrayed in the Oliver Stone movie World Trade Center. In the early morning of September 11, he volunteered to assist PAPD Sergeant John McLoughlin help with the rescue effort in the first World Trade Center building along with Officer Will Jimeno. After a brief overlook of the common area the floor shook as the South Tower collapsed just 53 minutes after being struck by United Airlines Flight 175. With only ten seconds defining the collapse from 110 floors to Ground Zero the men dashed for the elevator shaft. Only Pezzullo, McLoughlin and Jimeno would survive the initial hit. As they struggled to lift debris from Officer Jimeno,[2] the North Tower collapsed, causing more rubble, concrete, steel and ash to fall on the already existing pile of rubble formed by the collapse of the South Tower. Pezzullo was pinned,[2] and in an effort to alert rescuers to their whereabouts, he fired a single shot into the air before passing away.[3]
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Early life
Dominick was born to Italian Parents Dino and Victoria Pezzulo. He was named after his Grandfather Domenico Pezzullo. His nickname was Mimmo.
Jean-ette Pezzullo met her husband Dominick while they were attending Herbert Lehman High School in the Bronx. Although they knew each other from the neighborhood and school, they didn't start dating until they finished high school. Ms. Pezzullo, now a School Aide and Local 372 member at Lehman, was struck by how considerate Dominick was during their first date. "We went to the World Trade Center," she recalled. "We were by the water fountain and he was concerned that I might get wet. That impressed me."
Pezzullo also returned to teach auto repair, math and computer technology. After seven years as a teacher, Pezzullo became a Port Authority Police Officer. He was stationed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Pezzullo was on his new job for only 13 months when he received the urgent telephone call on September 11, 2001 about the attacks. He and other officers commandeered a city bus and raced downtown to the World Trade Center.[3] Dominick Pezzullo was 36 years old and had served with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department for 13 months. He is survived by his wife and two young children and a brother, Tony.
September 11, 2001
On September 11th, 2001, Pezzullo and his fellow officer and friend, Will Jimeno, were stationed at the entrances of a New York bus terminal. Upon being informed of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center twin towers, the pair volunteered to assist Sergeant John McLoughlin in aiding rescue efforts. They were joined by two other men, Antonio Rodrigues and Chris Amoroso. [3]
The five officers were located in the South Tower when the building gave way. McLoughlin, Pezzulo and Will Jimeno were able to seek cover in a nearby freight elevator and survive the collapse, but were trapped by fallen debris. Amoroso and Rodrigues were unable to reach the elevator in time and were both killed. [3]
Of the surviving trio, Pezzullo was the only one still capable of digging a way out through the debris, and was attempting to do so when the north tower collapsed,[2] causing further debris to fall in the south tower. Pezzullo was mortally wounded when a large piece of concrete landed on his lap. The two officers that survived say "Just remember me, I died trying to save you guys," were Officer Pezzullo's last words. He then fired a single shot into the air trying to let the others know where his friends were. He died of his injuries shortly thereafter.
On September 9, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.[4]
Legacy
In the film World Trade Center by Oliver Stone, Pezzullo was portrayed by Jay Hernandez.
At the National 9/11 Memorial, Pezzulo is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-29.[5]
See also
- Will Jimeno
- John McLoughlin
- Dave Karnes
- Jason Thomas
- World Trade Center
References
- ^ Legacy.com
- ^ a b c Remember: September 11, 2001 - A site presented by Legacy.com
- ^ a b c d USATODAY.com - Miracles emerge from debris
- ^ "President Remembers 9/11 Heroes at Medal of Valor Award Ceremony". Press release of President George W. Bush's comments. www.whitehouse.gov. September 5, 2005. http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050909-1.html. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
- ^ "South Pool: Panel S-29 - Dominick A. Pezzulo". National September 11 Memorial & Museum. http://names.911memorial.org/#lang=en_US&page=person&id=4915. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
External links
- Crimelibrary.com Article
- PAPD Memorial Site
- "Dominick A. Pezzulo". Find a Grave. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
Categories:- 1965 births
- 2001 deaths
- American terrorism victims
- American police officers killed in the line of duty
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
- Victims of the September 11 attacks
- Terrorism deaths in New York
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