Officer Down Memorial Page

Bill, it will be 40 years in just a few days that you died in the line of duty September 11, 1971.... Ironic how the date 9/11 lives in the memory of the world, America and especially the state of New York. I am sure you have met each vicitm of 09/11/2001 in heaven. We will NEVER forget them or you!

I remember you growing up in Attica during those carefree post WW II days in a small western NY state town. You graduated from Attica Central School in 1961, two years before me. I knew your parents well and remember your dad, Al, when we worked together part time at the local grocery store. He was a hoot and kept me laughing all the time. Unfortunately your murder and what happened in the years after the riot destroyed the rest of their lives. They were never the same. Of course one could not expect it to be any other way.

I want you to know that I met your oldest daughter Dee in 2008 when I was home for my 45th high school reunion. Bill, you would be very proud of her. Not only is she a great lady, wife and mother but she worked tirelessly with the "Forgotten Victims of Attica" to bring some measure of justice to both the families of you and your brothers who died on 09/13/71 but also to those who survived. They were all treated so very poorly by the state of New York. It was a shameful thing they did to them and while the financial settlement wasn't what they really deserved at least the forgotten vicitms finally received some meaure of closure which they so much deserved!

I will be present for the 40th anniversary memorial service and you, the others, those that made it out and all your families will be in my thoughts and prayers......Take care and I will see you again, someday!

Retired PO, Robert C. Disinger
Montgomery County Police Dept. Maryland
August 31, 2011

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