Detective Joseph Vigiano was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center. He was assigned to ESU Truck 2.

Detective Vigiano was one of the department's most decorated officers. He had been shot and wounded on three separate occasions during his career. Detective Vigiano had served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years. He is survived by his wife, also an NYPD officer, and three young sons. His brother, a New York City firefighter, was also killed in the attack.