Port Authority Police Captain Kathy Mazza, 46, lost her life trying to save others in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Now a Farmingdale park will be dedicated to her memory on September 21, followed by a 5K commemorative walk-a-thon. Starting at 10 a.m., the walk-a-thon will immediately follow the one-hour dedication.

Personally credited for saving hundreds of lives in the evacuation of the World Trade Center, Captain Mazza paid the ultimate price serving her fellow citizens. She, along with 36 of her brother officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, lost their lives on that terrible day.

"Kathy, the first female commanding officer at the PAPD Police Academy, is a 'true American hero'," said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto. "This park, in the community where she lived for many years, will serve as a reminder to all residents of her sacrifice."

The park, located west of Staples Street between Elm Avenue and Walnut Avenue, will have a heart-shaped commemorative garden, 50-foot in diameter, with a central walkway leading up to a granite monument. The walkway will include the engraved names of Captain Mazza's fellow officers, and a garden and flagpole, which will be lit at night, will surround the monument.

The park and heart-shaped commemorative garden is a fitting and appropriate way to honor Kathy's memory. Prior to her law enforcement career, she was a cardiac surgery nurse, working with some of the finest surgeons in the country.

During her tenure at the Port Authority Police, Captain Mazza took cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) one-step further by instituting a program that made portable heart defibrillators part of the cardiac first responsive training for her fellow officers.

"Kathy had a huge heart and was responsible for saving many lives that day," said her brother, Ronald Mazza. "She was one of three women in the public safety, police department and rescue team who died that day. It was the development of her programs and the defibrillators that have currently saved up to 100 lives."

In a continuing effort to carry on the fine service that Captain Mazza personified throughout both of her careers, the family established the Captain Kathy Mazza Memorial Foundation. It was formed to make scholarships and grants available to the Nassau Community College Nursing program and the St. Francis Hospital Pediatric Cardiac Care Facility (The Heart Hospital).

The walk will start at the park, travel through several Farmingdale streets, past Captain Mazza's home on Sunset Avenue and finish at the park. At this point in time, there are over 200 walkers registered. The walk-a-thon will serve as a fundraiser for the foundation. To obtain walk-a-thon applications or pledge sheets, please contact: The Captain Kathy Mazza Memorial Foundation, 565 Suffolk Avenue, North Massapequa, New York 11758. Residents can also call 798-6756 or e-mail captkmazza911@aol.com.

"Kathy never let anything hold her back," said her mother, Rose Mazza, also vice president of the Captain Kathy Mazza Memorial Foundation. "She had a mission in life and she would never leave anyone behind. She had a very analytic mind and will forever be remembered.

On Wednesday, Aug.13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., family and friends of Kathy celebrated a kickoff party held in Sands Point at the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Katz, who works at North Shore University Hospital. Mrs. Edie Katz worked with Captain Mazza and helped train her as a nurse. She also helped train her in cardiology, acting as her training nurse, and the two remained friends. Dignitaries, including Supervisor Venditto, Bernadette Castro, commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, representatives from the Port Authority Police Department, Sands Point Police and village officials, and staff members of the foundation were on hand at the ceremony.

"The party was set up to make people aware of the park dedication and what Kathy was all about," said Ronald, also president of the Captain Kathy Mazza Memorial Foundation. "Kathy made enormous strides in a short period of time and people need to be made aware of her heroic efforts. She taught me to give my best in everything, whether I would face a large adversity or not. The fact that she came this far as a policewoman in a man's world is quite an accomplishment."