How many police died on 9/11: a verified breakdown

How many police died on 9/11: a verified breakdown

On September 11, 2001, 37 police officers from the Port Authority Police Department and the New York City Police Department were killed at the World Trade Center. This verified profile explains who they were, how they died, and how their losses are recorded and remembered.

Official numbers and agencies involved

Of the 37 police officers who died on 9/11, 23 were from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) and 14 were from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). All were either responding to the attacks at the towers or conducting evacuations and rescue operations in the immediate aftermath. No other local, state, or federal law enforcement officers died as a direct result of the attacks on the Pentagon, Shanksville, or the World Trade Center.

PAPD officers

The Port Authority Police Department is responsible for policing the World Trade Center complex and related Port Authority facilities. On 9/11, 23 PAPD officers were inside the towers when they were struck and collapsed. Many were last seen assisting evacuees and other first responders.

NYPD officers

The 14 NYPD officers were either at the command post at 75 Barclay Street or were conducting evacuation and rescue tasks in and around the towers. Three of them worked in the department’s Emergency Service Units. All 14 were off duty at the time of the attacks but responded voluntarily.

Notable details in identification and recovery

Identifying and recovering the remains of the 37 officers was a prolonged process. Because of the extreme conditions in the towers, many bodies could not be fully recovered. In the years that followed, additional remains were found and confirmed through forensic and DNA analysis. Official counts and listings have been periodically updated to reflect new information from ongoing recovery and identification efforts.

Documented data on 9/11 police fatalities

How police deaths were recorded and classified

All 37 officers are listed as line-of-duty deaths by their respective departments and are included in national memorials for 9/11. Their classifications reflect that they died as a direct result of the terrorist attacks while performing official duties. The numbers include only those who died at the World Trade Center; they do not include officers who died later from 9/11-related illnesses, which is tracked separately by the FDNY and NYPD under line-of-duty death criteria.

Ongoing identification and memorial efforts

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continued forensic work for many years after the collapse. DNA analysis and victim recovery efforts have identified additional remains since 2001. Memorials to the 37 officers appear at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, at the FDNY and NYPD memorials, and at the PAPD headquarters. Annual commemorations and updated victim lists ensure that each officer is remembered and documented.

Frequently asked questions

• Were any federal law enforcement officers killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11? No; no federal officers died in the tower collapses.
• Did any police officers die at the Pentagon or in Shanksville? No; there were no police fatalities at those locations on 9/11.
• Are the numbers final? The official counts of 37 police officers are consistent across the 9/11 Commission, department records, and major databases. Identification and recovery work continue, but the total number of officers who died on that day remains 37.

Comparison with other 9/11 first responder fatalities

The 37 police officers who died on 9/11 represent one segment of the broader group of law enforcement and public safety personnel lost that day. They are part of a larger group of first responders whose sacrifices are commemorated at multiple memorials and through ongoing health and memorial programs.

Reliable sources for verification

Key sources for casualty figures include the 9/11 Commission Report, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reports, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department roll calls, the New York City Police Department line-of-duty death records, and the FDNY casualty database. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and victim compensation applications also use these verified lists for claims and benefits.

Practical context for today

Understanding how many police died on 9/11 and who they were remains important for annual remembrances, benefit claims, and historical record-keeping. The numbers inform memorial design, survivor benefits, and ongoing identification efforts. For researchers, journalists, and responders, verified lists and counts support accurate reporting and respectful commemoration.

Key takeaways

• 37 police officers died at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
• 23 were from the Port Authority Police Department; 14 were from the NYPD.
• No federal police officers died in the building collapses; none died at the Pentagon or in Shanksville.
• Identification and recovery efforts continued for many years; the count of 37 is consistent across official sources.
• Officers are memorialized at multiple sites, and their names are maintained in official department and commission records.