Manchester Police Chief Recalls Responding to Sept. 11 Attacks

Manchester Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski saw firsthand the devastation masterminded by Osama Bin Laden, who was killed Sunday in a U.S. special forces operation in Pakistan. 

Klimakowski said he was one of a "small contingency" from the department, led by former chief William Brase, who went to the World Trade Center site on the evening of the Sept. 11 attacks. 

A teletype went out that morning requesting manpower in New York, and the department answered.

Klimakowski recalled arriving near the scene, where officers were tasked to provide support.

"There were no lights in that area," he said. "The devastation was just incredible. The ash was five and six inches deep."

"There are no words to even describe. To see it firsthand and to be there, was incredible," Klimakowski said.

The death of Bin Laden is "finalizing this chapter in history," the chief said.

"I think that it's going to put the American people at ease to say that the mastermind behind the whole plot has been taken care of. I think it will put a lot of people at peace."

"We're talking about something that was almost 10 years ago and the reaction was still incredible," Klimakowski said, referring to the scenes of celebration last night in Washington and New York.

Sept. 11, Klimakowski said, has changed the way law enforcement operates.

"There are much better communications. We have a large military base in town," he said, referring to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, "and we communicate much better with the federal government now because of this. They reach out to us right away to get us involved."

According to Klimakowski, officials at the base on Monday morning contacted Manchester police to set up a meeting to discuss the events and address potential increased security measures around the base.

A statement issued by Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Sunday night said that, at the direction of the U.S. Northern Command, security measures have been increased to "enhance the safety of our community and protect our resources."

"We ask that the joint base community remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Base Defense Operations Center at 609-562-6001," the statement read.

In an extraordinary address, President Barack Obama interrupted almost every U.S. TV channel Sunday night to announce the news.

While he did not provide details, he said that the U.S. has been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Pakistan. After a firefight, the president said, bin Laden was killed, with no loss of U.S. lives.

"On nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done," Obama said.

"Let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people."

Gov. Chris Christie said, "I want to commend President Obama's administration for its commitment and dedication to finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice. "As the former U.S. Attorney and now Governor of New Jersey, I speak for all the families of this state who have courageously endured the unspeakable and devastating consequences of terrorism.

"There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered."

Sen. Robert Menendez said, “As a nation, we may all feel some measure of closure that justice was accomplished. ...  My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all New Jerseyans, are with those who lost family and friends on 9/11. Hopefully they can find some solace and a measure of closure today."

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