Heroes Lost On, After 9/11 Honored At Special NYPD Ceremony
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York Police Department held a special ceremony at Lincoln Center Thursday to honor the officers who died in the Sept. 11 attacks or after working on the toxic pile of rubble.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the heroes were among a mass of brave men and women who helped safely evacuate tens of thousands of New Yorkers. He said their service will never be forgotten, but also urged New Yorkers to move past sadness.
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"Let us rededicate ourselves to the work from which they never flinched, to remain vigilant against threats to our city from any quarter, to make New York a city of peace and justice for all," Bloomberg said.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly thanked the victims' families. He promised the department will do everything possible to protect the city from another attack.
"In the history of the New York City Police Department there has never been a day like Sept. 11 when it comes to the losses we sustained and to the courage we witnessed in our ranks," Kelly said.
The department handed out medals to families of 23 officers who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and 49 officers and one civilian who died since.
Herbert Ehmer was there to pay tribute to his son Police Officer Robert Ehmer.
"There's not much you really can say, it was so sincere to honor all of these officers," Ehmer said. "I'm so proud I was here. It was hard for me but I made it."
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