michaelcurtin

Pages put together by Margaret Curtain, Australia - the Curtin Clan Association Genealogist.
11 December 2001. Updated 21 March 2002

Michael Curtin was a Sergeant in the Special Operations Division, Emergency Services Unit, of the New York City Police Department.
On 11th September, 2001, he and others responded to the call of duty, and is now are classed as missing in/at the site of the collapsed Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, New York City

Michael Curtin joined the New York City Police Department in January 1988 and was assigned to FTU 13. He was promoted to Sergeant in December 1995. In addition to his present command, Emergency Service Squad 2, Michael has served in the 75 Precinct, the 113 Precinct, and the Emergency Service Units, Squads 7 and 8.

He is the recipient of many department medals and was honoured for his heroism in the Oklahoma City bombing. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Science from the State University of New York.

Michael Curtin was born in 1956 - he is presumed to have died 11 September, 2001 at the World Trade Centre site, in New York City. He is survived by his wife Helga and their 3 daughters, Jennifer, Erica, Heather and his brother Jack Curtin.

Michael Curtin and his wife Helga, both served in the United States Marine Corps. Michael for 12 and Helga for 7 years. During Desert Storm, Michael achieved the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on the front line of battle and retired as a Sergeant Major.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday 17 November, 2001 at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, 495 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue, New York 11772.

On a 10th floor rooftop littered with shards of glass and concrete from the collapse of the World Trade Center, the colors of each of the nation's armed services were raised in honor of veterans who died in the disaster of 11th September, 2001.

The names of some of the missing were written on one edge of the Marine flag, including that of Michael Curtin, a police sergeant and a sergeant major in the Marine reserve.

One by one, a red Marine Corps flag, blue Navy and Air Force flags and white flags of the Army and Coast Guard were flown next to a larger Stars and Stripes. Just below them was a banner that read,
"We Will Never Forget".

Michael Curtin went to Oklahoma City to help with rescue work when the federal building there was bombed. When he found the body of Capt. Randolph Guzman, a Marine recruiter, he organised a formal ceremony for the removal of the body.

"Marines don't leave Marines behind; we wanted to do for Sgt.Maj. Curtin what he did for Captain Guzman.", said one of the men. (for the Clarion Ledger article, click the photo)