NYPD officer Joseph Vigiano, Jr. follows in footsteps of father who responded and died on 9/11
NEW YORK -- A police officer is honoring his father who died on 9/11 in a special way.
He's joining an elite group within the NYPD, just like his dad.
Rappelling out of helicopters, making different types of rescues - those drills are part of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit officer training. They're ready to respond to hostage situations, active shooters, counterterrorism operations and more to ultimately keep the people of New York City safe.
Friday, 37 NYPD officers graduated from specialized training school after nine rigorous months to join ESU. Among them, Police Officer Joseph Vigiano, Jr., son of Det. Joseph Vigiano, who was killed on 9/11 trying to rescue people trapped in the World Trade Center.
"I knew what he did for a living, and it was something I always wanted to do. So this is a dream come true for me," Vigiano said. "I hope he'd be proud of me."
Vigiano not only graduated, he was also honored with an award as the best performing member in the class.
"Joseph is obviously the ideal student we want ... He's a former marine. He trained for this. He was the number one student in the class, in everything," said Lt. Keith Gallagher. "He was disciplined in everything. Top shot, high physical standard, and just kept his head low, very humble."
His mother, a retired NYPD officer, says he's wanted this since he was a little boy, and his dad put him in his own uniform.
"Joey loved that outfit. He wore it everywhere, and I think that's where it started. He always wanted to be a truck seven ESU cop, and he did it," Kathy Vigiano said.
His first assignment will be working out of the same truck his father did - ESU truck seven.
"It means everything to me. I've been waiting for this since I was a young kid," he said.
Following in his father's footsteps and carrying on his family's legacy.
His uncle, John Vigiano Jr., an FDNY firefighter, was also killed responding to the towers.