Port Authority officer who survived 9/11 WTC collapse honors grandson by pinning his badge during ceremony.
On September 11, 2001, retired Sergeant Conrad Krueger of the Port Authority Police Department faced a harrowing ordeal as he was trapped beneath the rubble of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. After enduring hours of darkness and uncertainty, Krueger has returned to the site for the first time since that fateful day, coinciding with a poignant family moment that took place on Wednesday at the 9/11 Memorial.
At the memorial, which features the reflecting pools where the names of the 37 Port Authority police officers who lost their lives that day are inscribed in marble, Krueger pinned his police shield on his grandson Sean. Sean, who is set to graduate from the Port Authority Police Academy on Friday, expressed immense pride in following in his grandfather’s footsteps. Krueger, now 77, admitted that the journey back to the memorial was a significant emotional challenge, laden with memories of loss and sacrifice.
Krueger, who served the department with distinction, recalled the tragic events of 9/11 when he helped evacuate individuals from the South Tower before a massive explosion resulted in chaos and destruction. His reflections on the day revealed the profound impact it had not just on him but on his colleagues; he noted that out of ten officers who responded to the scene, only half managed to escape.
Wednesday’s ceremony was not only reflective for Krueger but also a source of pride. Sean, who is 26, was bestowed with the shield number of his grandfather, an honor he hopes to uphold as he begins his career in law enforcement. He emphasized the importance of family values within their department and expressed a desire to provide compassion and service to the community, reflecting the principles his grandfather has exemplified throughout his life.
The event also welcomed a new class of recruits, numbering 71, who are set to join the Port Authority Police Department, continuing the legacy of service and sacrifice. This graduating class represents a diverse mix of individuals, with a training process that emphasized finding highly qualified candidates. About a quarter of the recruits are women, a record figure for the department, and many come equipped with prior law enforcement or military experience.
As the graduating recruits gathered at the 9/11 Memorial for a moment of reflection led by Superintendent of Police Edward Cetnar, the importance of their roles and the sacrifices made by those who came before them were underscored. Cetnar noted that starting their careers on such hallowed ground offers a vital connection to the department’s history and the collective resilience of those affected by the tragic events of 9/11.
In this way, the poignant and bittersweet ceremony served as a reminder of the enduring connections between generations of officers, the legacies they uphold, and the commitments they make to their communities.
