September 11, 2001 | NYPD Officer John D’AllaraBy: CE Albanese
September 11, 2001. It was a beautiful morning, typical of early September. The bright and warm sun rose slowly and steadily, burning away the few wisps of clouds that still lingered in the sky. Summer vacation was over, the kids were back to school, and the roads were clogged with buses and commuters.
I was twenty-three years old, a State Investigator for the NJ Attorney General’s Office, and like most mornings, I arose early and headed into work—a high-rise in downtown Newark, NJ.
By 8:30 am, I was at my desk. A few minutes later, I was in Joe Palaia’s office (my supervisor at the time) talking to him about a case I was working. Halfway through our conversation, the first plane hit the World Trade Center.
The initial reports were chaotic, and at one point, everyone thought the aircraft was just a small Cessna.
Creator: Dave Hogan | Credit: Getty Images
I remember thinking, “What an idiot. How the hell, on a bright sunny day, does a pilot not see the World Trade Centers?”
But then the second plane hit, and we knew this wasn’t an accident; it was terrorism, and we were under attack.
Black smoke billowed from both towers. Thousands were trapped. Some found escape by jumping.
What a horrible choice they were forced to make.
September 11, 2001
Soon, there were reports of bombs detonating at the Treasury Department and the Supreme Court (which turned out to be false) and then of an explosion at the Pentagon—another hijacked plane, Flight 77.
A few minutes later, the WTC South Tower collapsed.
Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville soon after.
September 11, 2001
At this point, I was pulled over on the NJ Turnpike, watching the WTC North Tower fall.
September 11, 2001 – NYPD Officer John D’Allara
2,977 innocent people died on September 11, 2001
Several days later, I donated money to a charity for police and fire fighters killed or missing. In return, I received a thin blue bracelet with John D’Allara’s name. He was still listed as “Missing,” but the cold hard truth was that he was dead.
Below is a picture of the blue bracelet I received and the silver one I had made when it cracked a few years ago.
September 11, 2001 – NYPD Officer John D’Allara
NYPD OFFICER JOHN D’ALLARA
September 11, 2001 – NYPD Officer John D’Allara
The following was John’s obituary:
John D’Allara of Pearl River, NY an NYPD Emergency Service Police Officer with truck 2 died September 11, 2001, as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Born August 1954 in New York City to John D’Allara and Helen Diamond D’Allara. He was educated in the Bronx, NY and graduated from Lehman College in 1978. He earned his Masters Degree in Physical Education from Lehman College in January 1988. John lived in Pearl River since moving from Yonkers, NY in January 1990.
He worked for the New York City Police Department for 18 years
He worked for the New York City Police Department for 18 years, starting in the Transit Police, then Bronx Task Force and finally, The Elite Emergency Service Unit.
He was a certified EMT, Notary, Scuba Diver, Volunteer Firefighter with The Pearl River Hook and Ladder, and held a Teaching Certificate. John loved to learn and loved to teach. He had a lot of different interests. He was on The Youth Fitness Team at Columbus HS and also competed in Judo. He was a bodybuilder who trained out of Mid City Gym and competed in Mr. New York City, Mr. America, and various other body building competitions.
He was a teacher at Park West H.S. and Columbus H.S. before becoming a Police Officer. He loved being an “E-man” and enjoyed rescuing people, animals, anything or anybody who needed him.
He rescued our dog, Sheba from The Animal Shelter and she turned out to be the Best Dog Ever! His sons inherited his love of animals and he frequently brought them to the Bronx Zoo, Reptile Shows and local Pet Stores. He was a devoted son, loving husband, and father, dedicated Police Officer, Great Friend and one of the “Good Guys” with a wonderful sense of humor who was able to make a difference in the lives of the people he touched.
He rushed into The World Trade Center to help because that’s what he did, who he was, a hero who would willingly lay down his life to save someone else.
Married for 13 years he leaves wife Carol and 2 sons John 7 years old, and Nicholas 3 years old
May he rest in Peace together with all who perished in the WTC tragedy. He was loved by many and is missed by all. Married for 13 years he leaves wife Carol and 2 sons John 7 and Nicholas 3, his mother Helen and father John, his twin brother Daniel and his wife Angela, mother in law and father in law Nina and Nicholas Cautillo, sisters in law and brothers in law, aunts, uncles, cousins and nephew William.
A Memorial Mass was held Saturday, November 10, 2001 at 11:00AM at St. Aedan’s Roman Catholic Church, Pearl River, NY.
A REMINDER OF HIS COURAGE AND BRAVERY
I’ve worn John’s bracelet every day since, a reminder of his selfless act of courage and bravery.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Officer John D’Allara was helping strangers get to safety when he was killed. How much greater was his love?
In 2004, I joined the U.S. Secret Service. I started every day the same; gun, badge, and blue bracelet.
In 2008, I transferred to the New York City Field Office. My apartment in Lower Manhattan had a direct view into the pits where the Twin Towers once stood. Many nights I’d sit at the window, staring down into those two, deep dark holes.
It wasn’t until 2009 that I met someone who knew John D’Allara. I was the Lead Transportation agent for the President of Iran’s visit to New York City (this was my second consecutive year protecting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. I wrote about the first time HERE). I was making my morning rounds, briefing everyone on the upcoming movements including our NYPD ESU team—five, heavily armed men. I hoped up in their truck and started talking to their team leader. As I spoke, I noticed his eyes drift towards the bright blue bracelet on my wrist.
“Whose name’s that?” he asked.
“John D’Allara.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Did you know him?”
The welled up tears in his eyes said it all.
He went on to tell me how he and John had worked together on ESU Truck 2. They had been good friends. He said even after all of these years, John’s death was still a tough pill to swallow. He then told me about John’s wife, Angela, and their two kids, John and Nicholas. I listened and thanked him for sharing a little bit of John’s life with me. Afterward, I found a quiet place away from everyone else and said a prayer for John’s soul and the well-being of his family.
John’s death left an empty hole not only with the men and woman of the NYPD but also with his family and small children.
His selfless courage on 9/11, protecting strangers in need, is a lasting symbol of his dedication and bravery, and his name will be on my wrist until the day I die. A small reminder to myself, and those who notice it, of his ultimate sacrifice.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 | NYPD OFFICER JOHN D’ALLARA
NEVER FORGET
