Courts commemorate 9/11 anniversary at academy dedicated to fallen court officers
The New York Unified Court System held its annual 9/11 commemoration event in Brooklyn on Wednesday at the court officer training academy that was named for the three court officers who died during rescue efforts.
“In solidarity with the rest of our country, we honor the memories of thousands of Americans whose lives were senselessly taken from them and their families 18 years ago today, including our three heroes Capt. William Thompson, Sgt. Mitchel Wallace and Sgt. Thomas Jurgens,” said Hon. Janet DiFiore, chief judge of the New York State court system in a pre-recorded speech.
More than 200 court officers, judges and other court employees filled the auditorium of the Captain William H. Thompson, Sergeant Thomas Jurgens and Sergeant Mitchel Wallace NYS Court Officers Academy on St. John’s Place.
“Eighteen years ago, we witnessed the very worst and the very best that human nature has to offer,” said Chief Judge DiFiore. “The very best was reflected in the selfless actions of the scores of New York State court officers who rushed to the scene of the north tower within seconds after the first plane struck, along with the thousands of uniformed heroes from the police, fire, Port Authority and other emergency services, some who gave their lives that day.”