NYPD Detective Joseph V. Vigiano and his brother, FDNY Firefighter John T. Vigiano, were part of the brave souls who rushed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Neither of them returned home.
On Tuesday, a wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero paid tribute to the brothers, organized by the Detectives Endowment Association. Their family members shared memories of the supportive community that rallied around them after the tragic events.
“After losing my father post-9/11, the officers of the 75th precinct became like a second family to me,” reflected Joseph Vigiano Jr., who is now an NYPD officer himself. He traced his fingers over the names of his father and uncle etched on the National September 11 Memorial.
“I think it’s really nice that the DEA keeps my father’s memory alive,” he added.
Joseph Vigiano was only 34 when he heroically rushed into the North Tower in efforts to save those trapped inside, alongside Claude “Dan” Richards—one of the very few NYPD detectives who lost their lives that day.
John Vigiano, two years older and aged 36, perished with four fellow firefighters from Ladder Company 132 while entering the South Tower just before it fell.
The DEA laid a wreath with the words “Never Forgotten” at Ground Zero in honor of all three heroes, displaying photos of the 79 NYPD detectives who have died from 9/11-related illnesses since the attack, which occurred 25 years ago.
“We’re remembering all our detectives, not just those who died on 9/11 but also those who have passed due to related illnesses,” stated DEA President Scott Munroe.
He mentioned, “We currently have three in hospice care. Unfortunately, that number keeps increasing. We’ll continue to remember every year, not just this one.”
The legacy of the Vigiano brothers carries on through Joseph’s three sons—Joseph Jr., John, and Jimmy—all of whom chose careers as first responders, maintaining the family tradition explored in the 2025 documentary “Twin Towers: Legacy.”
All three sons served in the US Marines, and currently, John is still active there while Joseph and Jimmy have joined the NYPD, the same place where their mother worked and their parents first met.
“Their father would be incredibly proud of all three of our boys… They’re living their lives to honor their father,” shared widow Kathy Vigiano, watching Joseph Jr. in his NYPD uniform.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Governor Kathy Hochul were also present at the ceremony. The governor had just come from a dedication honoring members of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who were killed during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and on 9/11.
