A K-9 Memorial Service

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SIRIUS Liberty State Park (North Field) Jersey City, New Jersey Wednesday, April 24, 2002 11:00 a.m.   K-9 Sirius, Badge #17 was a yellow Labrador Retriever, born in January 1997. He became an Explosive Detection Dog upon graduation from the Port Newark K-9 Center on July 15, 2000. Sirius and his handler, Police Officer David Lim, Badge #1219, were assigned to the World Trade Center. Their duties there included searching vehicles entering the WTC Complex, clearing unattended bags and sweeping areas for V.I.P. safety. Seeing them brought a sense of security and a smile to the faces of thousands of staff and visitors alike.

Welcome     Sergeant Vincent Oliva Presentation of Colors     Port Authority Police Honor Guard     Port Authority Police Pipe & Drums National Anthem     P.O. Maryann Baumbach Invocation     Fr. Dave Baratelli Remarks     Chief William G. Cafaro Unveiling of Portrait     Debbie Stonebraker, artist Procession of K-9 Teams Eulogy     P.O. Joe Martin Poem by Susan Brozenec 21 Gun Salute     Edison Police Department

More than 200 people and K-9 units from around the country gathered in Jersey City, NJ, at Liberty State Park, which is across the Hudson River from the World Trade Center site, in a tribute to honor K-9 Sirius, of the Port Authority Police Department.   He was the only police dog to die in the collapse of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Sirius, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross at the British Embassy in Manhattan earlier in the month, checked packages at the loading dock of the WTC, and was the only police dog to die in the Port Authority's 80-year history. The ceremony honored the "thousands of police dogs who play vital roles in battling terrorists, smugglers and other dangerous criminals," said Charles DeRienzo, the Port Authority's Superintendent of Police and Director of Public Safety. With the Manhattan skyline behind them, more than 100 police dogs and their handlers gathered for the service that included a 21-gun salute, bagpipes, the reading of a poem by a school teacher from Illinois and plenty of barking.

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The Memorial Service
The Port Authority Police Department Pipe and Drum Band	The Port Authority Police Department Flags and Pipe & Drums Band

The Honor Guard

A lone pallbearer carries the cremated remains of Sirius

Chief Cafaro

P.O. David Lim (far right) and program guests

Sirius ... Dazzling sparkle in the distance Brightest star on earth Closest to our heart. You came and shared your light for such a little while Brought such brightness, gave such joy ... Now you shine above and watch from distant skies As the guardian you were, as the guardian you are still. Companion, guide, protector, friend Partner and pal on constant alert. Courageous and cautious, Patient and obedient, Strong in spirit, gentle in design, Quick to defend, eager to follow, Disciplined for action, poised for careful command. Sirius ... Brilliance in the night, Star of the first magnitude, Hero of the same Nine light years away, Held here in our hearts for eternity. Run free across the Rainbow bridge and in green pastures; You have done your job well, friend! © 2001 Susan Brozenec, Batavia, Illinois

Portrait "Salute to Sirius" unveiling
"Salute to Sirius" © 2002 by Debbie Stonebraker, Artist, from Foley, Missouri Privately commissioned by Sandee Nastasi of Long Island, as a gift to the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department K-9 Unit P.O. Lim received a smaller water color version of the painting
picture of Sirius' remains being removed from the WTC the urn holding Sirius' cremated remains flag that covered his body as he was removed from the WTC "Salute to Sirius" portrait

Police officers and their dogs filed past the painting of Sirius, an urn containing his ashes and the US flag that covered his small body on its trip from Ground Zero.  Several of the dogs wore badges covered by black ribbon, matching those worn by their handlers.

FBI Special Agent Gerry Fornino, who had been in charge of searching for evidence and personal belongings at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, presented Officer Lim with Sirius' metal water bowl, which had been pulled from Lim's car. Lim broke down after receiving the bowl, which had been inscribed with Sirius' shield number and the words "I gave my life so that you may save others."

Officer Lim salutes as his K-9 partner receives a 21-Gun Salute and Taps is played

A New Beginning for Officer Lim
	Officer Lim has a new partner ... a 2 year old black Labrador Retriever named Sprig.  The pair are assigned to the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels. Like Sirius, Sprig is a Explosive Detection dog.

More pages for A Day to Remember America Attacked America Still Stands Proud An Open Letter to A Terrorist America Prays A Global Tragedy Can Osama Bin Laden Come Out to Play? NY/NJ Port Authority Police Memorial Remembering the Heroes of the PAPD Remember the Heroes of Ground Zero In Memory of Officer George Howard In Memory of K-9 Sirius The Hero's Cross Where was GOD? What if YOU died tonight? Cathy's World The song playing is "Taps"

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© 2002 - Cathy