ny b37 det thomas mchale fdr- entire contents- 1-7-02 statement (see ny b12 video fdr- ny b8 econ...

8/14/2019 NY B37 Det Thomas McHale Fdr- Entire Contents- 1-7-02 Statement (See NY B12 Video Fdr- NY B8 Econ Impact Fdr- Dif Red Actions)

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THE PORT AUTHORITY OFNY&NJ MemorandumTO: Lieutenant Edward Gutch, Police HeadquartersFROM: Detective Thomas McHale Jr.DATE: January 1 , 2002SUBJECT: WORLD TRADE CENTER REPORTCOPY TO: Det/Sgt W. Zika, File.As per your request in our telephone conversation, on 01/03/02, and inaccordance with Memorandum #64-01, from Chief Morris, the following is anaccount of actions performed/witnessed, on 09/11/01, at the WTC.On 09/11/01, I was on full time assignment to the New York City PoliceDepartment's (NYPD) Major Case Squad (MCS) at One Police Plaza (1PP), NewYork, N.Y. Immediately after hearing the first plane crash into Tower One,and after observing the damage and flames to said tower, Det.ThomasNerney, NYPD/MCS, Det.John O'Boyle, NYPD/MCS, and myself responded to theWTC in my FBI/JTTF assigned vehicle. Minutes after the first attack wearrived at Vesey and Church Streets where I parked my vehicle on the S/Wcorner. People were in the process of being evacuated from the complex-.hrough the Church Street doors of 5 WTC. I observed Sgt. Robert Kaulfers,


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falling onto the plaza had increased. A piece of the aircraft's hydraulicsystem crashed to the plaza and bounced into the WTC lobby through thepropped open door. The piece was turned over to Det. Nafey for evidencevouchering. At one point, an unidentified, white, male, with an injuredarm, and obviously suffering from shock, walked aimlessly on the plaza andrepeatedly stated that he was the floor fire warden and had to get hispeople out. As I approached this individual we were almost struck by abody which fell from the tower. This individual was physically removedfrom the plaza and escorted out of the complex by Det, Nerney. A PAPD/WTCradio transmission identified the second attack as a missile from theWoolworth building. After interviewing Det. Kevin Barry and P.O. MichaelOldmixen, NYPD/Bomb Squad, at the corner of Church and Vesey Streets, Imade a radio transmission that the second attack was a commercial aircraftas identified by the two bomb squad officers. In addition, I observed apiece of an aircraft engine on the N/E corner of Church and Vesey Streets.(Although 1 don't recall if I observed this engine part before or after thesecond plane struck the WTC.) I returned to 5 WTC and the flow of evacueeshad increased as did the severity of their injuries. At this point, Idon't remember if I observed Sgt. Robert Kaulfers where he was seenearlier,1 returned to the WTC police desk and met with Det. James Wheeler and Det.John Fitzgerald, PAPD. Also present were PAPD detectives Ron Nafey, RichPaugh, a civilian cameraman, a PA civilian manager, the desk officers, Sgt,John Mclaughlin (phonetic) and other PAPD officers. I was no longer incontact with NYPD detectives Nerney or 0'Boyle, Det. Wheeler advised thatthe cameraman had recorded the second plane crashing into the WTC. Afterfurther discussion, Det. Wheeler and Det. John Fitzgerald departed the WTCpolice desk with the cameraman. (Weeks later I was informed that P.O.Uhuruh Houston was the person captured on this video directing people outof 5 WTC.) Shortly thereafter, while in 5 WTC, Tower Two collapsed. (Atthe time I did not know what had happened.) Although unable to see due tothe dust, debris and smoke, I made my way out of 5 WTC and ran north onChurch Street.

i After the debris had somewhat settled I returned to the area of 5 WTC. AsI ran south on Church Street 1 came in contact with Assistant DistrictAttorney Max Wiley, New York County District Attorney's Office. I assistedthree injured NYPD officers (PO Kimmons, PO Soto and Traffic OfficerFrancois) into an ambulance on Church Street. Other injured civilian anduniformed officers were located and assisted to first aid. At one point Iwas informed by al |that his girlfriend1 I and her co-workers were trapped on the N/w corner of the1104th floor in Tower One. Although I was not receiving radio transmissionsi l attempted to broadcast \ message about the individuals trapped on\ e 104th floor. I also notified NYPD ESU and an FDNY fire chief at the

i scene. (A month .or so later, I was informed that Ms. Kousoulis and her co-; workers did not survive.) Members of NYPD, FDNY, civilian personnel and

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^lf, continued to assist with the evacuation of the injured through 5 ,At one point I decided to answer a page sent by my daughter. Unable !signal on my cellular telephone, I exited 5 WTC. Shortly " "

Tower One collapsed, I ran north on Church Street but wasup in the debris before ducking into 99 Church Street.again returned to the area of 5 WTC with members of the NYPD, FDNY and

We encountered some people who suffered fatal injuries and were 'DOA. These people were carried to 99 Church Street and coveredpaper gowns taken from the crushed, ambulances along the route. As wefor survivors in the debris we could hear the roar of jet enginesDue to the smoke, fire and debris clouds we could not identify

aircrafts. I called the FBI Newark office (by public phone) andof our situation and requested all the help we could get.received a page from the FBI Newark office and was informed thate jets overhead were U.S. Military. I don't recall how long after theapse, but at one point as I exited 5 WTC I met P.O. Paul Nunziato,and P.O. Collin Hennessy, NYPD/34 Pet, (brother of P.O. MichaelAPD/PATH). At this time I learned of the missing PAPD officersSgt. Ka'ulfers. Shortly thereafter, I again met NYPD bomb squad

P.O. Oldmixen and Det. Kevin Barry who were accompanied by Sgt. -Walsh also of the NYPD bomb squad. At one point I met NYPD Chief [ > pAli in front of 5 WTC. I informed Chief Ali that I was with Det.ney and Det. 0'Boyle and I reported them missing. (Later on thatirnoon I received a page from my daughter who informed me that bothives were ok.) At some point, I received medical treatment for the

eyes. aremained in the vicinity of Church and Vesey Streets until nightfall. IDet./Lt. Michael Podolak, PAPD, in the vicinity of Church and Liberty

We responded to the FBI New York office and then I returned to 5e NYPD Major Case Squad at 1PP. ithereafter, Det. Dan Gardner, NYPD/70 Pet, and I responded to serty Street, between Church and West Streets. There we joined in thee in the rescue of P.O. Will Jimeno, PAPD/BT, and Sgt. John

APD/WTC, who were trapped under the collapse. At the sceneInsp. Robert Sbarra, P.O. Thomas Moore, P.O. Paul Nunziato, P.O. PatTim Mueller, P.O. Michael Hennessy, and other PAPD personnelnames I do not recall at this time. An unidentified FDNY EMSant was instructing us to take the injured officers, once rescued, Ithe 10-10 Firehouse on Liberty Street. I responded to the firehouse andit to be severely damaged, covered with dust and debris and not >le for any type of medical procedure. I then responded to 1 Liberty

Church Street, and located a triage center. Ithe surgeon and medical staff of the recovery in progress and madehave the injured officers transported to 1 Liberty. TheMY EMS lieutenant disagreed with transporting the injured officers to I Ln

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Liberty and insisted that we bring them to the 10-10 Firehouse. I returnedto 1 Liberty and requested that the surgeon accompany me back to the sight.At the sight the surgeon instructed the EMS lieutenant to follow my ordersand to have both injured officers transported to 1 Liberty. P.O. Jimenowas the first to be recovered. In the early morning hours of 09/12/01,P.O. Jimeno was carried to 1 Liberty by PAPD personnel. Det. Dan Gardner,NYPD/70 Pet, led the way by clearing a path through the army of respondingrescue personnel. Once at 1 Liberty, P.O. Jimeno was placed in an awaitingambulance. A U.S. Marine, who took an active part in Jimeno1s rescue,refused to leave the rear of the ambulance and was physically removed bythe undersigned. I instructed P.O. Bruce Kent, FAPD, to remain with P.O.Jimeno for the duration. I responded back to Liberty Street and rejoinedthe supply line for the rescue of Sgt. McLaughlin. Physically exhaustedand unable to be of further assistance I went end of tour. Det. Gardnertransported me to my residence (my vehicle was destroyed in the collapse).On the same day, I returned to the scene and rejoined in the search of theWTC. A number of PAPD personnel were on the scene, including Lt. JohnRyan, PAPD/BT. A secondary partial collapse of a damaged building in theplaza area caused an injury to my left elbow. I was treated at the scene(and later by PA Medical and a personal physician). I met Deputy DirectorStephen Clendenin, Massachusetts Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 (MATF1), near the plaza of the WTC. I requested the assistance of Clendenin,his crew and their rescue equipment. Clendenin was instructed to unloadhis trucks on Church Street just south of Dey Street in front of the WTCPlaza. PAPD radio communications were established between those diggingand MATF 1 supply. On 09/12/01, at approximately 3:00 p.m., with theassistance of MATF 1, PAPD officers P.O. Donald Burns, P.O. Gerry Colligan(phonetic), P.O. Keith Festa, P.O. Ron Delmar, P.O. Pat McNerney, myselfand other PAPD officers, recovered the uniformed body of P.O. DominicPezzulo, PAPD/BT, from the WTC Plaza area S/W of the globe. P.O. Pezzulowas placed in a stationary ambulance on Church and Dey Streets. Once inthe ambulance, P.O. Pezzolo's PA parking identification card was recoveredfrom his pocket and returned. (At the time of his recovery, P.O. Pezzulo'sgun and shield were not with his body.) P.O. Pezzulo's body wastransported to a second ambulance by PAPD personnel. I assigned P.O. RonDelmar and P.O. Festa, PAPD/BT, to escort P.O. Pezzulo's body to thetemporary morgue. As the days passed the sight became more organized asdid the documentation of those recovered.The aforementioned account is to the best of my recollection. Initially, Idid not remember all of the facts until I was reminded of some of theincidents in later conversations with those mentioned. It is also safe toassume that I did not mention all of the PAPD personnel I encounteredduring this crisis. In addition, the aforementioned facts may notnecessarily be in sequential order. Also not included, which would serveno meaningful purpose, is the graphic descriptions on how some of thosedied this day. Although the most horrific and heart breaking experience in

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ny b37 det thomas mchale fdr- entire contents- 1-7-02 statement (see ny b12 video fdr- ny b8 econ...

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