09/12/2026
As we close out September 11th and the 25th anniversary of that tragic day, we wanted to share a personal recollection from Middletown Police Department VA Chief Gary Benedict, who was serving with the New York State Police and working with the DEA on September 11, 2001.
Chief Benedict remembers:
“September 11, 2001, was a beautiful day—bright sunshine and around 72 degrees. I was an undercover narcotics investigator with the New York State Police, working with the DEA.
I received a phone call from my DEA partner who said, ‘Turn on the TV. A plane just hit the World Trade Center.’
I had to go to a local police department to pick up some reports. As I walked into the police department, the second plane had just hit the other tower. I stayed there watching the television until I was ordered to return to my office as soon as possible.
We stayed there until that evening and continued working for several days. Everyone volunteered to go to New York City to help, but because of our positions, no one was allowed to go. Our mission changed from drug enforcement to counterterrorism.
No New York State Police troopers died on 9/11. But the sacrifice did not end that day. As of today, 38 NYSP troopers have died from cancers related to their work in New York City following the attacks.
Three of them were personal friends of mine. One was someone I worked uniform patrol with, one sat next to me in the academy, and one played on the NYSP hockey team with me.
The deaths will continue to come as more people develop cancer from working at the ‘Pile.’”
Twenty-five years later, Chief Benedict’s recollection reminds us that September 11th was not simply a day in history. For the men and women who lived through it and served in its aftermath, the consequences have continued for decades. 🇺🇲
