TRIBUTE STORIES

September 11, 2001 started as any other day. It was a beautiful day; the sun shined, the flowers bloomed, but it was the day that would put our country to the test. When I first heard of the attack, Tony, I thought "well, thank God, Tony's safe at JFK/LaGuardia Airport, and Nick is safe at Newark Airport. Even so the news of the attacks was so upsetting to me that I left work. It wasn't till I got home and called your house, and Marie answered, that I knew you were missing. We prayed, called every hospital in creation, and hoped, but ultimately had to give up all hope of seeing you again. You didn't have to go over to Ground Zero that day, Tony, let alone go inside to direct the evacuation effort. You were high enough in rank that you could have directed the operation from outside, if you had chosen to. Yet, you cared enough about your fellow man to go into that towering inferno with no regard for the danger you put yourself in. You were always like that Tony; looking out for me and everyone else.

I am sure that your "princess", Joyce, never dreamed that she would be widowed at age 48. You would have been proud of her, Tony. It was hell for her (and all of us), but she handled everything beautifully, preparing a beautiful Memorial Mass to put your soul to rest . You would have been proud of Marie and John too, Tony. Marie stood her ground bravely, as she read one of the Epistles during the Mass, but you knew it was hard on her; her voice almost breaking at points. And your sweet Johnny, at age 20, bravely shouldering the responsibilities of the man of the house. He also did that well, though it was as hard (if not harder) on him.

This country will never forget that hellish day; it (and the heartache and pain that it brought) is indelibly etched in our memory.

Likewise, the supreme sacrifice of you and your fellow 36 Port Authority police officers will never be forgotten. Well done, good and faithful servants. Rest in peace!

Officer Name: Inspector Anthony P. Infante, Jr.
Officer City: Port Authority of New York/New Jersey
End of Watch: 09/11/01

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