WARNING This interview is an eyewitness account of 9/11, the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and may be emotionally disturbing for some people. Michael Blondo, Security Officer for Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte, who retired from the New York City Police Department after twenty years of service in 2013, discusses his personal experiences on and after September 11, 2001 (9/11). [All times approximate]. Introduction [00:00]. Generational family background in Brooklyn, New York, early career, and pursuing an interest in law enforcement [01:07]. Discussion of his motivations for joining the police force, his career path within NYPD, and working as a police detective on housing patrol in the Bronx in 2001 [03:45]. Description of 9/11 as the day unfolded, starting with the shock of watching media coverage with his colleagues of the initial impact of planes hitting both World Trade Center towers, his horror at the images of people jumping from the towers, and his disbelief as the towers collapsed [05:44]. Being posted on the roof of his precinct building to surveil the area, his mounting fears as military planes flew low over the building, and frustrating inability to contact his family due to the volume of calls overwhelming communications [10:58]. Detailed account of driving his superior officer into Manhattan, the eerily empty roads and skies, digital signs indicating that the city was closed, and his growing feelings of foreboding as he reached Ground Zero [12:56]. Detailed description of conditions in New York City, streets buried knee deep in dust, buildings continuing to be impacted by the destruction of the towers, twisted metal at Ground Zero was glowing hot, and an overwhelming and unique smell of destruction and death [15:00]. Notes his growing anticipation of the loss of lives as he reached the scene where usually many thousands of people would be present during the working day [16:33]. Outline of how the NYPD organized police units following the disaster, the work of his own precinct that was divided between manning the precinct and helping to clear debris at Ground Zero, working twelve hour shifts without leave, and the messages of gratitude received following 9/11 [18:50]. Description of the huge outpouring of generosity towards police and other workers on the scene, including delivery of food and supplies, and the expressions of mourning at Ground Zero where flowers, photographs, and tender notes were pinned to the fence [20:25]. Description of his work stationed at Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island where debris was dumped for forensic investigation, how he combed through the debris looking for signs to identify victims, and his thoughts at this time [22:00]. Description of the heroics of the first responders who went into the towers, how 9/11 demonstrated human bravery, compassion, and gratitude, and the continuing deaths associated with health conditions resulting from 9/11 [24:10]. The Charlotte 1013 Club, a group of retired NYC police living in the South who gather to honor the sacrifice of fellow officers and attend funerals, and the inadequate equipment provided to Ground Zero workers [25:34]. Detail about the adoption of his son at the time of 9/11, the emotional impact of becoming a father, and anxiety around taking leave to travel to Kansas City to get full custody of his child [28:44]. Further description of his work at Fresh Kills Landfill [33:00]. Reflections on sacrifices of police families, and his wife 's support for his career [37:43]. The impact of 9/11 on his life, the necessity of blocking out certain memories, the reactions of New Yorkers in the wake of 9/11 that ranged from gratitude for first responders, police and workers at the site, to anger and discrimination towards racial groups [39:40]. His thoughts about the 9/11 memorial and his gratitude towards activists who fought to continue the 9/11 Commission and the fund to support those who are still suffering the effects of working in dangerous conditions at Ground Zero.