Not long after the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, New York City Police Department Commissioner Bernard Kerik identified 23 members of his staff who were missing. One of those 23 was Franklin Square resident Ronald Philip Kloepfer, a New York City police officer in the special operations division of the emergency services unit.

Officer Kloepfer was one of the many heroes called to action on that fateful morning of Sept. 11. He gave his life in a rescue effort, leaving behind his wife Dawn and three children - Jaime, Taylor and Casey. He is also survived by his mother Janet, brothers Robert Jr., Michael and Christopher as well as sisters Kim, Wendy and Jill.

On Monday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m., a memorial Mass was held at St. Catherine's of Sienna Church in Franklin Square. The mass was attended by numerous police officers, Honor Guard, Emerald Society, friends and family members, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Assemblyman Tom Alfano, whose district encompasses Franklin Square.

"The Honor Guard, Emerald Society and our men and women in uniform showed their respects today for a hero who was taken from us. He will never be forgotten just like the rest of those brave souls who will be paying our respects to in the days and weeks to come throughout our great community," Alfano said.