FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge Remembered as First Confirmed Casualty of 9/11, a Hero Who Died Praying

A Franciscan friar and beloved member of the FDNY since 1992, Judge had rushed to the scene after the first plane struck the tower. He was stationed in the North Tower lobby, reportedly praying "Jesus, please end this right now! God, please end this!" when the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., sending deadly debris through the area and fatally wounding him. His body was carried from the rubble by fellow first responders to St. Peter's Church near the World Trade Center, where it was laid before the altar.

Judge's death certificate is officially numbered "0001," designating him as the first certified fatality of the attacks. An iconic photograph of five men carrying his dust-covered body from the site became one of the most searing images of that tragic day.

A Life of Service and Compassion

Born in Brooklyn to Irish immigrant parents, Judge was ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1961. He was known for his remarkable ability to connect with everyone, from New York City's mayor to its homeless population. A recovering alcoholic, he drew on his own struggles to minister to others, bringing his distinctive blend of humor and empathy to those in need.

"He engaged you fully; he was not looking around for who he could talk to next," recalled fellow Franciscan Father Kevin Mullen. Friends and admirers emphasize that Judge's ability to be "fully present" to people defined his ministry.

Judge's compassion extended to the most marginalized. At the height of the AIDS crisis in 1989, he founded one of the first Catholic HIV/AIDS ministries in New York. He visited the sick, the imprisoned, and the dying, offering comfort when others often would not. He once told an atheist friend who was depressed: "Don't get into the future. It's a very dangerous place for alcoholics".

A Legacy That Endures

In the decades since 9/11, Judge has been hailed as a hero and a symbol of unity. His death has also sparked discussions about his legacy as a gay man who lived a life of celibacy and devotion, with some advocates urging the Catholic Church to consider him for sainthood.

"He was all about moments," said journalist and friend Michael Daly, author of The Book of Mychal. One of those moments, captured in the iconic photo of his body being carried from the rubble, has come to represent the profound loss of that day and the selflessness of the first responders who gave their lives in service to others.

The annual Walk of Remembrance, beginning at St. Francis of Assisi Church where Judge served, retraces his final journey to the World Trade Center as a testament to his enduring legacy.