John W. Perry was an NYPD officer who responded to the request for emergency assistance at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and did not escape the collapse of the buildings. Town of Hempstead and other public officials will dedicate a street sign on an existing pole at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Grant Avenue to designate Franklin Avenue as "John W. Perry Avenue" on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. John Perry grew up at 3853 Franklin Avenue, attended Seaford Public Schools, SUNY-Stony Brook and NYU School of Law. He was an active member of the Libertarian Party for over 10 years and his life and love of liberty will be celebrated by his friend Richard Cooper, chair of the Nassau Libertarians and vice chair of the state organization, who will speak at the ceremony.

The ceremony will take place at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Grant Avenue, just four blocks north of the Seaford LIRR Station and four blocks north of Sunrise Highway at the intersection with Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway. His family encourages anyone who can come to share this celebration of his life. Also, anyone who has not visited the Seaford High School 9/11 Memorial Plaza, walking distance from Franklin Avenue, is encouraged to plan a time to see the magnificent memorial designed and constructed by Seaford residents and Seaford High School graduates.

Cooper eulogizes the fallen hero: "As a libertarian and a police officer, John was dedicated to defending everyone's right to life, liberty and property. If I had not known John, I might never have known a true hero." While State Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York, Cooper created a John W. Perry Heroism Award which was first given to John Cain of Congers, who wore a wire to expose corrupt officials. The Libertarian Party awarded Perry a posthumous Thomas Jefferson Heroism Award at its National Convention.