FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, who responded to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, is being remembered for his legacy of faith and service. Judge, described as the first official victim of the 9/11 terror attacks, rushed to the Twin Towers from his post at Engine Company One / Ladder Company 24. As the events unfolded, he offered prayers for those trapped, for the rescuers, and for humanity.
His final moments were captured by a French film crew profiling the FDNY that day. The footage shows Judge praying in the north tower's lobby for people trapped on the upper floors. He died when the south tower collapsed, sending a wave of debris.
Father Michael Duffy, a close friend of Judge, recalled learning of his death while at his soup kitchen in Philadelphia. "I had no doubt that when the plane hit the building, that he would be there," Duffy said.
An image of Judge's body being carried from the rubble became one of the enduring symbols of the attacks. Duffy described the image as an icon representing the nearly 2,000 people who died, symbolizing "the helplessness of goodness being overcome by evil and all those 2,000 people who died and how they were loved by their friends and families."
Judge and Duffy first met in the 1970s. Duffy described Judge as a mentor who was humble and approachable, without airs. Born in Brooklyn, Judge shined shoes near the Church of St. Francis of Assisi before joining the Franciscan order. He was appointed FDNY chaplain in 1992 and ministered to people from all walks of life.
Duffy delivered the homily at Judge's funeral four days after the attacks. Thousands gathered at the church on 31st Street. Even in death, Duffy said, Judge left behind a message of service and compassion. "We will bury his hands, but not his good works," Duffy said, referencing lines from his homily. "We come to bury his heart, but not his love. Never his love."
Months after 9/11, Judge's gear and helmet were recovered and are now on display at the New York City Fire Museum, alongside the FDNY memorial.