William Rodríguez is a former janitor at the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the September 11 , 2001 , attacks and was in the basement of the North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the building . After the attacks he received several awards for heroism for helping in the evacuation of many survivors . The '' Birmingham Mail '' said about Rodriguez : " He bravely led firefighters up the stairs , unlocking doors as they climbed and helping hundreds of survivors " and The '' Lancashire Telegraph '' added : " He then went back into the building in a bid to rescue his friends at the top of the tower , on the 106th floor . But he kept finding others who needed his help as well . " Rodriguez became prominent in the Latino community for helping to institute an economic amnesty program for victims of 9/11 who were undocumented workers
American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11
William Rodriguez