9/11 Tributes...Sirius

1997 - 11.09.2001
Police K9 Sirius, Badge Number 17
Photo source

Sirius war der einzige Polizeihund, der in Folge der Ereignisse am 11.September 2001 ums Leben kam. Zusammen mit seinem Partner, David Lim, arbeitete er seit Juli 2000 als Bomben-Spürhund im WTC. Am Morgen des 11. September 2001 befanden sich beide auf ihrem Platz im Untergeschoss des 2. Towers, als Offizier Lim die Explosion hörte. Zuerst dachte er, dass eine Bombe in ihrem Gebäude hochgegangen sei, möglicherweise durch sie beide unentdeckt. Um sofort nachzusehen und bei den Rettungsarbeiten zu helfen, lässt er Sirius in seiner zugesperrten Box, von der er annimmt, dass dies für ihn zu dem Zeitpunkt der sicherste Ort sei, und verspricht ihm, ihn bald zu holen. Doch stattdessen wird David Lim selbst von den herabfallenden Trümmern von Tower One eingeklemmt, und erst mehr als fünf Stunden später gerettet.

Für Sirius gab es keine Hilfe, er starb unter den Trümmern des 2. Towers, nachdem dieser zusammenbrach. Seine Überreste wurden am am 22. Januar 2002 gefunden. Man geht davon aus, dass er gleich gestorben ist. Auch sein Napf wurde gefunden. Es gab eine bewegende Trauerfeier für ihn am 24. April 2002, und nochmal 5 Jahre später wurde selbst ein Hundeauslaufareal im Battery Park nach ihm benannt. -

"Police K9 Sirius, Badge Number 17...a four-and-a-half-year old, ninety pound, easygoing, yellow Labrador Retriever...was an Explosive Detection Dog with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. Sirius, along with his partner, Police Officer David Lim, were assigned to the World Trade Center in New York, where their primary duty was to check vehicles entering the Complex, clear unattended bags and sweep areas for VIP safety.

Sirius, who began work at the World Trade Center on July 4, 2000, was the only police dog to perish during the attack on the Twin Towers.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Sirius and Officer Lim were at their Station located in the basement of Tower Two. When Officer Lim heard the explosion, he thought at first that a bomb had been detonated inside the building.

“I told him, ‘I think we’re in a lot of trouble right now,’” said Lim, who assumed he and Sirius had somehow failed to detect an explosive. “I said, ‘I’ll be back for you.’” (source)

Believing he would be more effective alone, Officer Lim left Sirius locked in his six-foot by ten-foot crate, telling him, "I'll be back to get you," as he rushed to help with the rescue effort. At that time, Officer Lim could think of no safer place for his canine companion other than the basement. However, Officer Lim failed to return to Sirius.

Becoming trapped in the falling debris of Tower One, he wasn't rescued until some five hours or more later. Sadly, in the meantime, Sirius had perished when Tower Two collapsed. The remains of the loyal Sirius were recovered on January 22, 2002. Thankfully, it is believed that he died instantly when his kennel caved-in. Sirius, born in 1997, was given full Police Honors when his body was eventually retrieved from the rubble that was ground zero. The huge machines on the site were silenced, and Sirius saluted by all in attendance as Officer Lim carried the remains of his flag-draped partner to a waiting police truck. The American Flag which had covered the body of Sirius was later given to Officer Lim and a Fifth Grade Class in Illinois purchased an oak Memorial Flag box for its safekeeping. Sirius was cremated and the ashes placed in an oaken urn which Officer Lim keeps at his home until a decision can be made as to where Sirius will be finally interred. A Memorial Service for Sirius was held on April 24, 2002 at Liberty State Park (North Field) in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Earlier that month, Sirius had been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross at the British Embassy in Manhattan. Almost one hundred police dogs...many wearing badges covered by black ribbon to match those of their handlers and some from as far away as California...filed past the wooden urn containing the ashes of Sirius on April 24, as their handlers stopped to salute. A trumpeter sounded Taps, bagpipers played "Amazing Grace," and seven officers fired a 21-gun salute. An oil painting of Sirius entitled "Salute to Sirius," painted by Debbie Miller Stonebraker and privately commissioned by Sandee Nastasi of Long Island as a gift to the NY/NY Port Authority Police Department K-9 Unit, was unveiled and a poem read in his honor. Then, Officer Lim, who had been Sirius' handler for two and a half years, was presented with his companion's stainless steel water bowl...engraved with a tribute to Sirius.

For some time, it was feared that the body of Sirius might never be recovered from the tons of debris but, at last, Officer Lim was able to make good on the final words given to his staunch companion on that morning of September 11, 2001...and comfort must be taken when and where it can. Goodbye devoted Sirius...you have gone too soon, but may the star of your namesake shine ever-bright." (source)

A City Dog Run at Kowsky Plaza in Battery Park City was named after Sirius
Photo & source

Sources & related:
- Sirius Tribute
- The World Trade Center's Heroic Rescue Dogs/Dogs In The News 01.06.2002, see also here
- Sirius: A Working Dog's Story
- Battery Park City Dog Run to be named for Sirius the only K9 killed on 9/11/9/11 Memorials 03.07.2005, see also here

- More photos of SAR dogs of 9/11 and other disaster zones here on picasa -