Remembering Police Officer John Perry: A Tribute 25 Years After 9/11
A police officer who bravely rushed to the World Trade Center from NYPD headquarters on September 11, 2001, was honored with a street renaming ceremony 25 years after his tragic death in the collapse of the Twin Towers. Police Officer John Perry, who received the NYPD's Medal of Honor posthumously in 2001, now has a street sign bearing his name at the intersection of East 101st Street and Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side. Despite being off duty that day, Perry was at One Police Plaza finalizing his retirement paperwork to pursue a career in law full time.
His brother, Joel Perry, shared the emotional journey of searching for John at One Police Plaza after the attacks, only to discover his name listed as number 23 in pencil on a piece of paper with 22 inked names. The family clung to hope as John was initially considered missing, but the reality of his loss became apparent as time passed. Joel Perry expressed that the pain of losing his brother remains as raw today as it was 25 years ago, reflecting on the enduring grief and heartbreak.
During the street renaming ceremony, Joel and Janice Perry unveiled the street sign bearing their late brother's name, symbolizing his lasting legacy in New York City's history. Janice Perry remarked on John's enduring impact, stating that despite not surviving the tragedy, he is now immortalized as a legend in the city. The solemn event concluded with the poignant sound of bagpipes, honoring the memory of Police Officer John Perry and his selfless sacrifice on that fateful day.