Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 1625
Cause of Death: Terrorist attack
Date of Incident: September 11, 2001
Weapon Used: Aircraft; Passenger jet
Suspect Info: 19 suicide attackers
Officer Richard Rodriguez was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center.
Officer Rodriguez was at the police academy at the time the first plane struck, and he immediately responded to the scene with other officers, arriving just as the second plane hit the towers. Officer Rodriguez was credited with saving many lives before being killed during the second collapse.
Officer Rodriguez had served with the Port Authority Police for eight years and was assigned to the Police Academy. He is survived by his wife.