Dominick Pezzulo
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2021) |
Dominick A. Pezzulo | |
---|---|
Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) | |
Service years | 2000–2001 |
Rank | Police Officer |
Awards | 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor |
Dominick A. Pezzulo (August 15, 1965 – September 11, 2001) was an
In the early morning of September 11, he volunteered to assist PAPD Sergeant
He was portrayed in the Oliver Stone movie World Trade Center by Jay Hernandez.
Early life
Dominick was born in Italy to Dino and Victoria Pezzulo. He was named after his grandfather Domenico Pezzulo. His nickname was Mimmo.[4]
Jean-ette Pezzulo 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. Pezzulo, 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."
Pezzulo also returned to teach auto repair, math and computer technology.[citation needed]
After seven years as a teacher, Pezzulo became a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He was stationed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Pezzulo 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 Pezzulo 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.[5][citation needed]
September 11 attacks
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Pezzulo and fellow officer and friend, Will Jimeno, were stationed at the entrances of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Upon learning of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the pair volunteered to assist Sgt. John McLoughlin in the rescue effort. They were joined by two other Port Authority police officers, Antonio Rodrigues and Chris Amoroso.[3]
The five officers were located in the concourse just outside the
Of the surviving trio Pezzulo was the only one to avoid serious injury and was able to free himself from the position he was initially trapped in. Working in very cramped conditions he immediately set about trying to free Jimeno who was trapped by the legs nearby. Despite repeated attempts, the large piece of concrete that had pinned Jimeno was too much for Pezzulo to move by himself and at 10:28 a.m. the North Tower collapsed.[2] The collapse of the second tower triggered further settlement of the South Tower debris and Pezzulo became pinned beneath a falling concrete wall. Now mortally wounded, Officer Pezzulo fired a single shot from his Smith & Wesson 5946 9mm service weapon in an attempt to alert any nearby rescuers to the group's position beneath the rubble but died of his injuries shortly thereafter. Pezzulo's last words were: "Willie, don't forget. I died trying to save you guys."[6]
On September 9, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed in the attacks were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.[7]
Legacy
In the film World Trade Center by Oliver Stone, Pezzulo was portrayed by Jay Hernandez.
At the
See also
References
- ^ "9-11 Victim Memorial: Dominick Pezzulo". www.9-11heroes.us. Archived from the original on 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
- ^ a b c "Remembering September 11, 2001: Dominick Pezzulo Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Cauchon, Dennis; Moore, Martha T. (September 6, 2002). "Miracles emerge from debris". USA Today.
- ^ "CNN.com - September 11 Memorial". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ "Police Officer Dominick Pezzulo". Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Marsico, Ron (2006-04-12). "Two 9/11 widows bitterly decry surviving officers' film deal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ "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. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
- ^ "South Pool: Panel S-29 - Dominick A. Pezzulo". National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Retrieved October 29, 2011.