| Year Honored | |
|---|---|
| 2003 | |
| Honoree | |
| Stephen Huczko, Jr. | |
| Agency | |
| Port Authority of NY & NJ Police Department | |
| Agency City | |
| New York | |
| Agency State | |
| NY | |
| Last Call | |
| 9/11/01 | |
| Cause of Death | |
| Victim of Violence * | |
| Biography | |
| It somehow doesn't seem right to be called to the same giant buildings twice because of bombings.It doesn't seem fitting that the most famous buildings in the World would collapse and with it take the very men trying to protect it.But that is the what happened when the World Trade Center was bombed.<br /> <br /> Police Officer Steve Huczko Jr., 44, of Hampton, New Jersey, was one of thirty-seven Port Authority Police Officers to lose their lives during the most horrific acts of terrorism in America.On a beautiful morning, September 11, 2001, Mr.Huczko was at the Port Authority's Jersey City headquarters when the report of a plane hitting the World Trade Center came in.He immediately hurried to help.He lost his life when the North Tower collapsed, trapping all those left inside.He was found only twenty-four inches from the exit inside what had been the lobby of one World Trade Center.He and four other Port Authority officers were found inches from each other.It seems they were making a final attempt to free a lady still strapped to a rescue chair.<br /> <br /> Steve Huczko was a fifteen-year veteran of the Port Authority Police Department.He was a registered nurse and Emergency Medical Technician who helped to coordinate the introduction of life saving heart defibrillators at Newark International Airport.Officer Huczko had received various citations for exemplary police actions, including a valor award for his heroic efforts during the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993.<br /> <br /> Officer Huczko was known for his high level of energy.He earned his nursing degree while working at night as a police officer for the Port Authority.He had planned to retire in five years and have a second career as a nurse."Steve always had bigger visions than most people," said Kevin Byrne, his brother-in-law."He always wanted to do more." He loved life, and he loved his family.He was a drummer with the Port Authority Police Pipe Band, a Boy Scout leader, Little League coach, and a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians.He involved his four children in whatever he did."Everything he did he did for the kids, or with the kids," stated his wife.<br /> <br /> He was a proud member of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police Department.<br /> <br /> Honored 2003 |
The United States Official National EMS Memorial Service
