Dominick A. Pezzulo (August 15, 1965 – September 11, 2001) was an Italian American Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) officer who died in the September 11 attacks in lower Manhattan, New York City in 2001. In the early morning of September 11, he volunteered to assist PAPD Sergeant John McLoughlin with the rescue effort in the first World Trade Center building along with Officer Will Jimeno. After a brief overlook of the common area the floor shook as the South Tower collapsed just 56 minutes after being struck by United Airlines Flight 175. With only ten seconds defining the collapse from 110 floors to Ground Zero the men dashed for the elevator shaft. Only Pezzulo, McLoughlin and Jimeno would survive the initial hit. As he struggled to lift debris from Officer Jimeno, the North Tower collapsed, causing more rubble, concrete, steel and ash to fall on the already existing pile of rubble formed by the collapse of the South Tower. Pezzulo was pinned, and in an effort to alert rescuers to their whereabouts, he fired a single shot into the air before dying. He was portrayed in the Oliver Stone movie World Trade Center by Jay Hernandez. Early life Dominick was born in Italy to Dino and Victoria Pezzulo. He was named after his grandfather Domenico Pezzulo. His nickname was Mimmo. Pezzulo also returned to teach auto repair, math and computer technology. After seven years as a teacher, Pezzulo became a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He was stationed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Pezzulo was on his new job for only 13 months when he received the urgent telephone call on September 11, 2001 about the attacks. He and other officers commandeered a city bus and raced downtown to the World Trade Center. Dominick Pezzulo was 36 years old and had served with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department for 13 months. He is survived by his wife and two young children and a brother, Tony. September 11 attacks On the morning of September 11, 2001, Pezzulo and fellow officer and friend, Will Jimeno, were stationed at the entrances of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Upon learning of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the pair volunteered to assist Sgt. John McLoughlin in the rescue effort.