Fred V. Morrone
Superintendent of Police and Director of Public Safety,
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Executive Vice President, INTERPORTPOLICE (IAASP) · 1938 – September 11, 2001
"He was heading up — offering encouragement and help to everyone he encountered."— Port Authority employees evacuating 1 WTC
The Highest-Ranking Government Official to Perish on September 11, 2001
Among the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 attacks, Fred Morrone held the highest official position in government. He was not in the Twin Towers when the first plane hit — he chose to go there. He drove from his Jersey City office through the Holland Tunnel and walked upward into a burning skyscraper to save lives. That decision — freely made by a 63-year-old man who could have stayed away — defines everything the Morrone 9/11 Center stands for.
A Life Devoted to Service
Fred Vincent Morrone was born in Brooklyn and raised in Rocky Hill, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration — an intellectual foundation he combined with a lifelong dedication to law enforcement.
His early career began with the Franklin Township Police Department, before he joined the New Jersey State Police. Over two decades, he rose to Lieutenant Colonel, leading the Intelligence Services and Casino Gaming sections. He was known as a tenacious investigator who never walked away from a case.
In 1993, one of his final assignments as a State Trooper was helping the FBI investigate the first World Trade Center bombing. That case would prove to be a quiet foreshadowing of the catastrophe that would claim his life eight years later. He retired from the State Police later that year.
In 1996, Fred joined the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Superintendent of Police and Director of Public Safety — commanding approximately 1,300 officers at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Airport, the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, the George Washington Bridge, and the World Trade Center complex. Under his leadership, he built programs that became models for port policing around the world.
Those who knew Fred best remembered not just his professional toughness, but a quiet spiritual life few saw. His wife Linda later revealed that he attended 6:30 AM Mass several times a week, and began each morning in prayer — a private faith that shaped his public character.
"My husband wasn't a saint, but he was a spiritual person, and he lived his life according to that."— Linda Morrone
Born in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in Rocky Hill, New Jersey.
Began law enforcement career with the Franklin Township (NJ) Police Department.
Served as a New Jersey State Trooper, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Led the Intelligence Services and Casino Gaming sections.
Investigated the first World Trade Center bombing alongside the FBI alongside three dozen other troopers. Retired from the State Police the same year.
Joined the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Superintendent of Police and Director of Public Safety — commanding one of the largest port police forces in the world.
Established the Port Authority Police Academy residential training program, the International School of Airport and Seaport Security, bike patrols, a scuba team, a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Unit, an Airborne Services Unit, and a Motorcycle Unit. Toughened recruit training standards across the board.
Elected Executive Vice President of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police (INTERPORTPOLICE). Served on the terrorism subcommittee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Member of the Board of Directors, New Jersey Special Olympics. Member of Seton Hall University's Board of Advisors for NJ State Police Graduate Studies. Taught graduate-level public management at Seton Hall.
Rushed from his Jersey City office through the Holland Tunnel to lead the rescue at the World Trade Center after the first plane struck. Last seen near the 45th floor of 1 World Trade Center, heading upward — offering encouragement to those evacuating. He did not survive.
He Didn't Have to Go Back
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Fred Morrone was at his desk in Jersey City — not at the World Trade Center. When American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower at 8:46 AM, he was across the river and across the Hudson. He was 63 years old. He could have managed the response from a command post. He chose to lead from the front.
He got in a car and drove through the Holland Tunnel toward the smoke. Port Authority employees descending from the 66th and 67th floors reported passing him in the stairwells of 1 World Trade Center, heading upward, offering calm and encouragement to the frightened people streaming down. The North Tower collapsed at 10:28 AM. Fred Morrone was never seen again.
A Legacy That Lives On
Highest-Ranking Official
Fred Morrone was the highest-ranking government official to die on September 11, 2001, giving his life in the act of leading a rescue.
30 Years in Law Enforcement
A career spanning the Franklin Township PD, the NJ State Police, and the Port Authority — always moving toward the sound of danger.
Executive Vice President, INTERPORTPOLICE
At the time of his death, Fred served as EVP of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police, a role that cemented his global influence on port security.
Founder of Global Security Programs
His programs at the Port Authority became templates for international airport and seaport policing, training a generation of officers across the world.
Fred Morrone is survived by his wife, Linda, their three children — Fred, Alyssa, and Gregory — and two grandchildren. He was a Lakewood, New Jersey resident.
At the 9/11 Memorial in New York City in 2002, the Board, in cooperation with the Morrone Family, agreed to the recognition of honoring our friend, our leader, and fellow officer in establishing the Morrone 9/11 Center to further his work for educational excellence in public safety, share that knowledge with the rest of our global law enforcement and security community, and ensure that developing nations are a priority.
