| SENIOR COURT OFFICER THOMAS JURGENS New York Office of Court Administration | |
 | Court Officers are the uniformed, law enforcement arm of the New York State Unified Court System. Their training academy is just two blocks from the World Trade Center. Thomas Jurgens was one of approximately 25 court officers who responded shortly after the first hijacked plane struck the first tower on that terrible September morning. They arrived just as another plane hit the second tower. |
| Led by their captain, William Thompson, Jurgens and fellow Court Officer Mitchell Wallace went in with several NYPD officers to the lower level of Tower 5. The last radio transmission from Thomas Jurgens came from inside the burning tower. He had been told of the danger, and his response made it clear he wasn't leaving because, "there are people here who need our help." Every court officer who responded that day suffered at least some injury. Three lost their lives, including Captain Thompson and Officers Wallace and Jurgens. | |