Detective Joseph Vigiano New York City Police Department New York Tuesday, September 11, 2001  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. God bless you and God bless America.

Miranda

2009-09-11

I am forever in debt to the 23-37 and the 343. The sacrifice of you and your brother has not been forgotten. You are a true hero, Thank you for your service, Sir.

Deputy and Firefighter
Glades County, Florida
2009-09-11

Joseph

Eight years since you made the ultimate sacrifice. Your heroic actions are not forgotten.

DETECIVE PATRICK DONOHUE
NYPD
2009-09-11

Joe,

Remembering your sacrifice today. I still have your business card and 2 Truck patch, and I will ALWAYS keep them in your honor.

A. Serr
WJPD, UT
2009-09-11

Det. Vigiano,
I was just listening to NRP Radio this morning and your father was talking about you and your brother John. I would just like to say thank you to you and your brother for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

2009-09-11

You are not forgotten...thank you

Anonymous

2009-09-11

The anniversary of 9/11 is coming up in a few days as you well know. I just wanted you to know that you have not been forgotten. Rest in Peace...

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD
2009-09-08

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends and family. May God bless and keep them.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, FOR HELPIPNG PROTECT OUR COUNTRY!!!!

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

2009-03-12

I said a little prayer today for Detective Vigiano and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

2009-01-12

Det. Vigiano your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
2008-05-19

hi daddy its ur little girl i miss u so much and i love you i was 5 years when u died ur the best daddy ever i miss you and love you

ur daughter
daddy
2008-02-01

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THAT PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE ON THAT DAY OUR COUNTRY WAS ATTACKED. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. MAY ALL REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2008-01-28

Det. Vigiano,

Your memory and legacy will live on eternally. I had the honor of meeting your father last weekend on a wounded soldiers trip to NYC which he single-handedly helped facilitate with Hope 4 the Warriors. You, as well as your brother and father, are a remarkable man. You are the epitome of a hero and your heroic act and ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered. Thank you for stepping up to the plate when so many others will not and did not. You, and your children, are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Melanie Morgan
Acquaintance & Supporter
2008-01-26

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2008-01-02

I graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy today December 20th, 2007. If it were not Detective Joseph Vigiano I would not have made it. I began my law enforcement career working as a Corrections Officer, and going to school studying Criminal Justice. I saw the special on Joe and his brother John. It made quite an impact on me. I grew up in West Islip where John lived and moved to Tennessee 2 months before 9/11. It took me 3 years to get promoted from correctional Officer to Deputy. Not an easy task. The police academy was both mentally and physically challenging, I watched Twin Towers several times to stay focused. I met Mr. Jesse Rittenhouse a 55- year old male who is begging his law enforcement career 3 years after his son who was a Police Officer died in the line of duty. I told him the story of Joe and John and I could see it in his eyes that their courage along with his son Matthew’s will motivate him to become an outstanding officer. I am proud of the fact that I can now call myself a law enforcement officer. I pray that at the end of my career I will have been half as good an officer as Joseph Vigiano. Thank you Joe for being my hero.

Deputy Kristian Wernet
Williamson County sheriffs Department
2007-12-20

Thank you, Ofc. Joseph Vigiano and your brother, for your dedication to God, your families and, ultimately, your country.

Your sacrifices were not in vain, and you will never be forgotten.

God speed and God bless. Rest in peace, Ofc. Vigiano and brother, a NYC firefighter.

God Bless America.

LRVirgil, Civilian
Texas - Law Enforcement Supporter
2007-09-30

You are not and will never be forgotten. You and the other brothers we lost that day are HEROES and will be remembered forever! Rest high on the streets of Heaven!

Deputy Brant Pewitt
Williamson Co. Sheriff's Dept TN.
2007-09-11

Thank you for your sacrifice and all the lives that you saved that day. It takes a brave officer to go into a burning building. Rest in peace. Thanks to your family that gave us the gift of two brother heroes that answered the call of duty without hesitation.

trooper
Ohio State Highway Patrol
2007-09-11

To the wife and children of Detective Joseph Vigiano...I offer my most sincere condolences for your loss of a husband and father...he was a hero...never forget that... and keep his memory alive to all those who come after him...they are his legacy.

None of us will ever understand why God watches all the evil in the world and appears to do nothing while allowing the free will of such contemptable men to cause such horror, pain and heartache for the rest of society. We can only hope that in God's time there will be an explanation.

To the parents of Detective Joseph Vigiano and Firefighter John Vigiano...there are no words with which to comfort a mother and father...we may know in our hearts that our children are only on loan to us in this life...that they are truly God's children first...as we all are...and His love in infinite to ours...but that objective knowledge does not compute to our finite and subjective reasoning...my heart goes out to you in your unbearable loss of two fine and decent young sons...it is a parent's worst nightmare to have such a cross to carry...I know and understand your pain and grief...I too have lost a wonderful young son, eighteen months ago, to a senseless and violent end...we must all be proud of them for their selflessness and grateful to have been chosen to be their parents...if only we could have had them for a longer time.

We are by heritage, a strong-willed, faith-infused people...our children are our lives...in the end we have only our prayers and God to rely on...they say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...I don't know what will be said of heartbroken parents...I believe that God will have to show us an enormous amount of mercy and forgiveness when He will have to deal with us...our questions...and why we have had to bury our children long before we are called home...my deepest sympathy for both of your heartbreaking loses.

My prayer for this family is that each of the Vigiano men...from that far better place... watch over, guide and protect them...and that God will bless them with the graces needed as they continue on without the physical presence of their loved ones...but will allow each of them to feel their spiritual presence in their hearts always.

May God's perpetual light shine upon the souls of Detective Joseph Vigiano and his brother Firefighter John Vigiano and may they both rest in His eternal peace for each having made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting and serving the people of New York.

God blessings on all of you.

Anita L. Culosi
sister of NYS Tpr. Salvatore J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61
2007-07-16

When I worked at Starrett as a patrol Officer I had the pleasure of interacting with Joe on several occasions. As time went on I did anticrime for a while and Joe was now a Detective. He was always professional and by far one of the best cops I ever met. I miss you Joe and you will never be forgotten BROTHER.

DET. J. Mandell
Starrett City
2007-03-07

Joey, what can we say, Its been going on 6 years and we still talk about you all the time. The crazy things you did in the 75. Remember when you locked me in the office? We pray for Kathy and the boys as they continue on without you. We know that you are watching, to guide and help them along. Your tireless energy and your fun personality, your attention to duty and your heart of gold. Rest in peace my brother, you are so missed......

Jakeman & Mrs Jakeman
75 pct Sgt Retired

Richard H Jacob
nypd
2007-02-16

Brother Vigiano,

I did not know you, but the tragedy that took place on 9/11 will weigh heavy on the minds of law enforcement personal for the remainder of our days. Your sacrafice will NEVER be forgotten.

Rest in peace brother, well take it from here.

Officer CM Duer #3232
Fort Worth Police Department
2006-12-19

All gave some... Detective Vigiano gave all. Any officer who was shot on three different occassions, and still has the guts to run into a burning builing such as the WTC.... Is nothing short of a legend. Forget the athletes, forget the rock/pop stars, forget anyone else, this Detective is the model hero for any American who has ever raised their hand and sworn to uphold the law. God Bless Det. Vigiano, his family, and the NYPD. I will never forget.

Det. Brian Grant
New Castle County, DE
2006-11-01

Dear Joe:
In my life time, I have had only a few people I would consider a true hero. You, and EVERY law enforcement officer who gave all they had that fateful day, ARE my hero.
Thank you for the sacrifice you so willingly made, in an effort to keep the oath we all take: to protect and serve. As our military protects the homeland abroad, we do it right here. And you did it so well. Yes, the terrorists took your life and so many others. But they will NEVER be able to take or diminish what you and so many others did. And they will NEVER overcome the lifestyle and freedoms we have built in 230 years. NEVER. All they did, was to anger those of us still here, and create a will to succeed, unmatched in human history, and continue to live the ideals of what it is to be an American.
Your actions are proof positive to all terrorists and enemies of our American way of life, all around the globe, that each of us, in particular our police officers, will do WHATEVER it takes, to protect our countrymen. You, Joe, are a shining example for others to emulate. That our job, though dangerous, is one that MUST be done with the tenacity and determination that you displayed, not only on September 11, 2001, but all through your illustrious career.
And to your family, thank you for the sacrifice that you too, have had to make. Not only in losing Joe, but his brother as well. Joe, the realization that your children now go through their life without you, and your wife alone and brokenhearted, coupled with the horror of the day, only creates steel resolve in those of us still here to carry on the work you proudly did.
Joe, I am certain that you are smiling from above, knowing that so many other lives could have been lost that day, if it were not for you and all the rest. God bless you, your family, and all our brothers who died that day. Our way of life shall live on, as will your memory. Amen

Detective Ron Tomassi
Palm Beach Sheriff's Office-Florida
2006-10-19

To the family and loved ones of Detective Joseph Vigiano and his fellow officers with the New York City Police Department and most especially to Joseph:

Mere words seem insignificant to honor your heroism and courage which will never be forgotten. On this the fifth anniversary month of the tragic devastation wreaked upon our nation, those brave men and women who lost their lives safeguarding others are remembered and revered.

May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire. Your legacy is an amazing one. To be shot and wounded three times previously in your law enforcement career and to be so highly decorated for your prior courage is testament to your character and committment, both of which you offered again on 9/11...for your family to have lost you and your firefighter brother on that awful day is tragic beyond belief. No family should have to endure what they have endured.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect and gratitude for the distinquished service Joseph gave to his community and country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 11, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Department, CA; eow 4/24/05

2006-09-28