Son of 9/11 NYPD officer follows father’s path
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Casey Kloepfer became a New York City police officer 25 years after his father, Ronnie Kloepfer, died responding to the September 11 attacks.
At four years old, Casey did not fully understand the circumstances of his father’s death, but he now honors his memory by wearing his father’s badge number and serving in the same department.
Ronnie Kloepfer also founded the NYPD lacrosse team, and Casey now plays on it, continuing his father’s legacy of bringing officers together through the sport. The NYPD has welcomed new officers into the force who were children or not yet born when the September 11 attacks occurred, creating a blend of personal connection and historical distance within the department.
Hundreds of officers who responded to the attacks and worked at Ground Zero have since died from related illnesses, extending the impact of that day beyond the initial loss. Casey’s decision to join the NYPD and participate in the lacrosse team gave new meaning to a legacy that could have remained in the past. His uniform and badge number serve as a constant, personal reminder of his father’s life and service.
Ronnie Kloepfer’s contributions to the NYPD extended beyond his duties as an officer, and his son now carries forward both his professional commitment and his passion for lacrosse.
