Dominick Pezzulo
Dominick A. Pezzulo | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 15, 1965 Italy |
| Died | September 11, 2001 (aged 36) |
| Occupation(s) | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department officer |
| Known for | Killed during the September 11 attacks while performing rescue operations |
Dominick A. Pezzulo (August 15, 1965 – September 11, 2001) was an Italian American officer serving with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) who lost his life during the September 11 attacks in lower Manhattan, New York City.
During the morning of September 11, Pezzulo volunteered to support PAPD Sergeant John McLoughlin and Officer Will Jimeno in rescue operations inside the first World Trade Center tower. After the South Tower collapsed 56 minutes following impact by United Airlines Flight 175, Pezzulo, McLoughlin, and Jimeno survived by taking refuge near an elevator shaft. While attempting to free Jimeno from debris, the North Tower fell, further entrapping them. Pezzulo was immobilized and managed to fire a single shot to signal rescuers before succumbing to his wounds.
His name is honored at the National September 11 Memorial on Panel S-29 of the South Pool. Actor Jay Hernandez portrayed him in Oliver Stone’s movie World Trade Center.
Early life
Dominick Pezzulo was born in Italy to parents Dino and Victoria Pezzulo and was named after his grandfather Domenico Pezzulo. He was affectionately known as Mimmo.
Jean-ette Pezzulo met Dominick while they both attended Herbert Lehman High School in the Bronx. Their relationship began after graduation, with Jean-ette recalling his thoughtful demeanor during their first date at the World Trade Center.
Before joining the Port Authority Police, Pezzulo spent seven years teaching automotive repair, mathematics, and computer technology. Assigned to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, he had served for just over a year when the September 11 attacks took place. Alongside other officers, he commandeered a city bus to reach the World Trade Center site. At age 36, he left behind a wife, two children, and his brother Tony.
September 11 attacks
On September 11, 2001, Pezzulo and fellow officer Will Jimeno were on duty at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. After becoming aware of the attacks on the World Trade Center, they volunteered to assist Sgt. John McLoughlin with rescue missions, joined by officers Antonio Rodrigues and Chris Amoroso.
The group was near the South Tower when it began to collapse at 9:59 a.m. McLoughlin, Pezzulo, and Jimeno took shelter in a freight elevator shaft and survived this initial collapse; however, Amoroso and Rodrigues were killed instantly.
Pezzulo escaped major injuries and worked to free Jimeno, who was trapped beneath a heavy concrete slab. At 10:28 a.m., when the North Tower collapsed, shifting debris pinned Pezzulo under a concrete wall. Severely injured, he fired one shot from his Smith & Wesson 5946 9mm service pistol to attract rescuers before dying shortly thereafter. His last words were: "Willie, don't forget. I died trying to save you guys."
On September 9, 2005, President George W. Bush posthumously awarded all public safety officers who died in the attacks with the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor.
Legacy
In the movie World Trade Center directed by Oliver Stone, Jay Hernandez took on the role of Pezzulo. He is honored at the National September 11 Memorial's South Pool on Panel S-29, where he is commemorated alongside fellow first responders.
See also
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1965 births
- 2001 deaths
- Italian emigrants to the United States
- Italian terrorism victims
- American police officers killed in the line of duty
- People from the Province of Caserta
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
- Emergency workers killed in the September 11 attacks
- Terrorism deaths in New York (state)
- People murdered in New York City