Some Guys Are Just Good At Fighting Evil

Most of us can anticipate meeting one or two extraordinary people in our lives, the kind of people that leave us challenged and inspired to do better. Mike Curtin was that guy for a lot of people.

Without a doubt there are hundreds of incredible stories surrounding the extraordinary life and times of Mike Curtin, but there are three incidents that were all grim watersheds in our nation’s history where Mike was present, a man doing his job amidst the darkest tragedies. 

After serving in the Marines for twelve years and rising to the rank of Master Sergeant, a period of time that saw him fight in Desert Storm and other hotspots, Mike returned to his native New York City and became a NYPD officer.

Some guys are just good at fighting evil. 

In 1993 Mike Curtin unintentionally brought attention to himself for his actions when Islamic Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center with a truck bomb.

In some respects this attack has been overshadowed by the horrible events of 9-11 but at the time, it was an extremely harrowing and challenging environment for New York City’s First Responders. 

A 1,500 pound truck bomb was detonated in the North Tower’s basement garage, instantly knocking out electricity and phone service to the building and sending smoke into the stairwells and air shafts as high as the 100th floor.

Instantly, thousands of people were trapped inside the building in a chaotic and dynamic environment, including the elderly, pregnant women, physically challenged citizens, and even many children. In fact, an entire kindergarten class was trapped in one of the elevators for over five hours.

Mike was one of the many rescuers who distinguished himself that day by continually returning to the building despite the hazards and uncertainty until all of the civilians had been safely evacuated.

In April of 1995, as a NYPD officer assigned to the Emergency Services Unit, Mike found himself one of the hundreds of elite rescue operators who were hastily dispatched to Oklahoma City to participate in rescue and recovery efforts there in the wake of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. 

Just like two years earlier, this was an extremely dangerous and unpredictable environment. Several times in the first few days all rescuers had to be evacuated because of collapsing debris. Tragically, one rescuer would die when she was hit in the head by falling concrete.

It was in this environment that Mike personally spotted a shred of fabric amidst the destruction that he instantly recognized as part of a U.S. Marine Corps Dress Uniform. 

Despite the dangers Mike requested and was granted permission to stage a recovery of the remains of U.S. Marine Captain Randy Guzman who had been killed in the blast and buried in the rubble. Captain Guzman had died while manning his post, as the Officer in charge of the USMC Recruiting Station located in the building. It took over six hours but Mike and other Marines on site that day never left their comrade’s side until they had recovered him. Mike organized an Honor Guard and the body of his fellow Marine was properly escorted as he was removed from the site. It was a moment those who saw it will never forget.

These two incidents and many others had firmly marked Mike Curtin with legendary status amidst the rarified world of our nation’s most accomplished and highly skilled rescue operators when he was called to his final emergency on September 11, 2001.

The NYPD ESU Heavy Rescue Trucks are extremely impressive vehicles with a wide array of capabilities to respond to emergencies. They are famous in their own right well beyond the borders of New York City. 

As Sergeant of NYPD ESU Heavy Rescue Truck 2, Mike Curtin and his crew were one of the first Units to respond to the World Trade Center Attacks. Rescuing victims from building collapses and other high-risk situations is a primary ESU responsibility.

ESU Teams went up each of the Twin Towers stairwells as high as they could, helping hundreds of civilians safely evacuate. Mike’s team went up one of the North Tower stairwells. They perished together executing their mission when the building collapsed. In total, 14 ESU officers lost their lives that day.

Mike’s remains were not located until March 6, 2002, approximately five floors down from ground level. His service weapon was by his side.

Immediately, calls when out across the city. 

Marines and ESU Officers from every borough solemnly descended on Ground Zero. The Police Commissioner arrived as well, as did Mike’s wife Helga and one of his treasured daughters. Soon hundreds of NYPD Officers, Marines and City Dignitaries were on scene to pay their respects to one of New York’s Finest.

The procession ascended out of the wreckage with great ceremony and care, complete with an enormous American flag. Mike’s body once again found itself strapped into ESU Heavy Rescue Truck 2.

Lights flashing, dozens of ESU Trucks and NYPD Patrol Vehicles escorted “Truck 2” and Mike across the city to the morgue. Motorcycle Cops stopped traffic at every intersection and saluted. As the vehicles passed, New Yorkers of every stripe took a moment and bowed their heads in respect to a tremendous individual named Mike Curtin.

For more inspiring stories of the Spirit of Michael in action, check out... https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Spirit-of-Michael/319058918294735