Fallen Police Officers: Honoring American Sentinels

A line of red roses above the National Law Enforcement Memorial on the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, in Washington, D.C., on on Sept. 11, 2014. 72 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001, more than on any other day in American history. Win McNamee/Getty Images

On Wednesday, July 29, 2015, I was honored to conduct a leadership presentation for the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD).

Attendees included the superintendent, commanding officers, inspectors, captains, lieutenants, and executive staff.

The PAPD has a daunting task of protecting New York and New Jersey sites including airports, bridges, tunnels, PATH, World Trade Center, and bus terminal.

Prior to my presentation, I reflected on the heroic sacrifices of this distinguished agency during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

On that fateful day, a hijacked airliner struck One World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m., igniting a blazing inferno on the side of the 110-story structure.

There is no end in sight to the challenges police officers face as they serve America during a time of continuous violence and dangers.