LAS VEGAS (FOX5) —People turned out around the Las Vegas Valley to honor those killed in the 9/11 attacks on the 25th anniversary.
At Police Memorial Park, some valley residents who were in New York that day and knew some of the people who died shared their stories.
Former NYPD officer Eddie Dougherty read the names of fallen NYPD officers as a bell rang. The crowd also learned about Dougherty, a member of the Las Vegas NYPD Ten-13 Club. A 10-13 call means an officer needs help.
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Dougherty said his cousin, NYPD police officer Glenn Pettit, was a former news photographer who joined the NYPD as part of a video unit. Pettit took video of different scenes and rushed to capture what happened at the World Trade Center towers. Dougherty says Pettit went into one of the buildings but did not make it out. He says his cousin was found with his camera.
‘We’re never going to forget’
Retired NYPD officer Charlie Licata was a couple of miles from Ground Zero at the time of the attacks. He was a retired NYPD officer at the time and was frustrated he couldn’t get into Ground Zero to help. He is president of the Las Vegas NYPD Ten-13 Club, the group that organizes the annual event.
Licata shared a message for the community.
“To never forget. We’re never going to forget. And I don’t want anybody else to forget. We keep reminding them every year,” Licata said.
He also had a message for kids.
“Appreciate what you’ve got. Love your mother and father, because every day is a gift. And I tell my workers, my fellow workers, live your life as if it was your last day, because one day it will be,” Licata said.
Police Officer Moira Smith was also remembered during the event. She was the only female New York City Police Officer killed on September 11, 2001.
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