O'Neill started his new job at the World Trade Center on August 23 , 2001 . In late August , he talked to his friend Chris Isham about the job . Jokingly , Isham said , " At least they 're not going to bomb it again , " a reference to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing . O'Neill replied , " They 'll probably try to finish the job . " O'Neill was killed on the day of the attacks , and his remains were recovered from the World Trade Center site on Friday , September 21 , 2001 . According to eyewitnesses , O'Neill was coordinating the evacuation efforts on one of the top floors with disregard to the threat to his own life ; he was last seen on the 49th floor shortly before the South Tower collapsed
1993 World Trade Center bombing
1993 World Trade Center bombing
John P. O'Neill