Sumner County Schools

First Responder Turned SCS Teacher Shares his Memories

In a quiet classroom at Gallatin High School, Philip Russo, a retired New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer, and now Gallatin High School Criminal Justice Teacher, speaks to a class of students about the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

“I can remember every single thing about that day. The sights, the smells, the feeling. What I did when. I remember everything. You speak to adults today, and I guarantee they remember where they were when they found out. Everybody does. It’s a moment stopped in time.”

Russo joined the NYPD in 1988 and was stationed in the heart of New York City, working in Times Square at the precinct known as Midtown North.

Russo remembers seeing the dust and the ash a half mile before arriving at Ground Zero.

“You couldn’t believe what you were seeing. Soon you were ankle deep, then hip deep, and all you thought about was how enormous it was.”

Russo worked tirelessly for two consecutive days, along with countless other first responders and on September 14, 2001 he found himself less than 300 feet from President George. W. Bush during his infamous bullhorn speech to emergency rescue workers.

“I’m very proud to be part of that day.”

Speaking to a room full of students, Russo shared multiple items of importance to him including the radios he used that day, a t-shirt a student gave him and a photo he took with Hollywood actor Harrison Ford, who cooked and served food for first responders at Ground Zero.

Russo remains in touch with his former colleagues and visits them once or twice a year. Tragically, four dozen first responders that Russo knew have succumbed to illnesses contracted from their heroic work during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. One former co-worker passed just three days ago. Russo remains vigilant, undergoing annual medical check-ups and tests to be safe.

Wearing the same shirt he wears every year on this day, Russo spoke to criminal justice and health science classes, while emphasizing the importance of unity.

“Most of us would do it again,” Russo said “I never ever, ever, ever in my lifetime want to see another 9-11, but I would love to see another September 12th. Everybody was together. Everybody. Everybody was patriotic, everybody was friendly to each other. Everybody liked each other. Once the initial shock were off, we realized we were in a different place in the world.”