Seaford H.S. Alum, Killed On 9/11, Was About To Retire From NYPD

SEAFORD, NY — There are thousands of experiences from September 11, 2001. But the story of first responder John Perry is unique.

Perry, who grew up in Seaford and graduated from Seaford High School in 1982, was about to retire from the NYPD.

"He was at 1 Police Plaza, and what I understand, he was handing in his retirement papers," his brother Joel Perry told Patch. "He was off that day."

Joel believes his brother is the only off-duty NYPD member to die on 9/11.

Perry, a 9-year NYPD police officer, was going to forge a law career, like his brother.

But Perry, who was based at the 40th precinct in the Bronx, went just blocks from police headquarters to the Twin Towers.

"He loved New York City. He knew the subway backward and forward," Perry said.

Since Perry wasn't on the call sheet on September 11, his fate was not immediately clear. Joel, who was working in the Bronx, checked out the precinct and it was confirmed he wasn't scheduled that day.

Repeated unanswered calls proved concerning for his younger brother. By 2 a.m. on September 12, Perry knew something was definitely wrong. He woke their mother.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Perry alerted Nassau police later that morning to file a missing persons report and he set out for his brother's Upper West Side home.

"As I approached his apartment building, there were two police officers out front and asked if I was John Perry," Joel said.

Police heightened fears by specifying he didn't show up for work on Wednesday and that they had to break into the apartment.

"The only thing we found in the apartment was his cat and an answering machine full of people wanting to know where he was," Perry said.

The brother, on a mission to get more information, walked from the building near Lincoln Center to 1 Police Plaza. He was able to cross police and FBI barricades by saying his missing brother was NYPD.

At HQ's command center, Perry spoke to someone holding a list of missing NYPD members.

"Twenty-two of them were typed and my brother's name was penciled in at number 23," Perry recalled.

Perry's family began the process of holding out hope that he would be safe. However, within several days, Perry learned that his brother was definitively at the Twin Towers. Captain Timothy Pearson (retired as an inspector) was able to escape one of the burning buildings and identified Perry when the collapse happened.

Deeper closure, albeit with more sadness, came in March 2002, when Perry's intact body was recovered. He was 38 years old.

"We had the contents of his wallet," Perry said. "But he was in plainclothes."

His gun and badge were on him as well. Those items were donated to the 9/11 Tribute Museum in Manhattan and Perry is planning to loan other personal items to their high school.

Perry was believed to be the fastest 5k runner when he was at the academy; one of his trophies will be displayed at the school.

"He did at least four New York City marathons," Perry said of his athletic older brother.

They had talked about forming their own law firm (Perry and Perry) down the road.

"He was a great mentor to me," younger brother Joel Perry said. "I would never have gone to law school if it wasn't for him."'

Perry keeps his brother's memory alive by talking about him and often wearing one of his t-shirts.

He has participated in the reading of his brother's name at the annual 9/11 ceremony in lower Manhattan.

"I've done it enough times that I don't need to do it again," he admitted.

Perry and his family will join hundreds of people commemorating the 20th anniversary at Seaford High School. John Perry is one of the school alum's five 9/11 victims.

As a member of the International Police Association, Perry collected patches from various agencies and has some plaques.

"His memories are in my heart. I don't need any of that stuff. I was there."