Roll of Honor
James A. Romito
Incident
Chief James Romito was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center.
He had been employed with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, NY for 30 years.
On the anniversary of 9/11, I thank you and your comrades for your selfless duty and courage that momentous day. Chief, thank you for your sacrifice. Your sacrifice and those of the victims and other first responders will forever be honored in the annals of brave men and women who gave their all for their city, state and for the United States of America. A hero in every sense of the word. As Chief, you could have been somewhere safer, but you were obviously leading from the front.
James Lopey, Assistant Sheriff (Ret) Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno, Nevada) Nevada DPS September 11th, 2023
September 11, 2001
Chief James A. Romito was killed at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. He was 51 years old.
He is one of 72 officers honored here, and one of 37 at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.
Seventy-two law enforcement officers from eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, alongside 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and more than 2,800 civilians. A fourth aircraft went down in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a law enforcement officer aboard was among the dead.
Officers went into the towers while everyone else was coming out. More than 25,000 people reached safety because they did.
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You went in while everyone else was coming out.
Chief Romito gave the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jersey City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Romito.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief James A. Romito is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, 41 of 60 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Romito's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Romito Compares
Offender Outcome
19 suicide attackers
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Romito is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Romito was killed by aircraft; passenger jet.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
59 officers from Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
