| OFFICER MOIRA SMITH New York City Police Department | |
 | Moira Smith introduced herself to her future husband, James, another NYPD officer, by grabbing his Yankees cap off his head and tossing it across the squad room. But beneath the Brooklyn native's fun-loving exterior was the heart of a thoroughly professional cop devoted to serving others. One of the occasions Moira showed that devotion was after the deadly 1991 subway crash in Union Square. Moira was awarded the NYPD's prestigious Distinguished Duty Medal for helping to save dozens of lives. |
| Her second medal--the NYPD Medal of Honor, her department's highest award--was given posthumously. On 9/11, Moira was seen carrying people out of Tower Two, then going back in for more. At least two newspaper photographs recorded her final acts of heroism. Moira, 38, left behind her NYPD husband and a daughter, Patricia. The little girl was just two when she lost her mommy--and America lost a hero. | |