Police/Fire/EMS

Remembering Apollo: NYPD K-9 Hero of 9/11 Ground Zero Rescue

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2025

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Apollo, a German Shepherd with the NYPD’s K-9 Unit, was set to receive an award for excellence in service. Instead, he ran headfirst into history.

Just minutes after the collapse of the Twin Towers, Apollo and his handler, Officer Peter Davis, arrived at Ground Zero—making him the first search-and-rescue dog on site. Amid smoke, twisted steel, and waist-deep debris-filled water, Apollo began searching for life in the rubble.

At one point, a fireball and falling debris engulfed him. By chance, moments earlier, he had fallen into a water-filled hole—soaking his fur and likely saving his life. Officer Davis brushed off the embers, and without hesitation, Apollo returned to work.

With singed fur and cracked paw pads, Apollo continued tirelessly alongside first responders, a steady, fearless presence amid unprecedented devastation. His work in those crucial early hours—and in the days that followed—made him an enduring symbol of devotion and courage.

A National Symbol of Bravery

In recognition of his service, Apollo was later awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, often referred to as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. The award was given not just to honor Apollo, but on behalf of all the working dogs who searched tirelessly through the rubble of Ground Zero.

“He wasn’t just a dog doing a job—he was a partner, a hero, and a symbol of resilience,” said an NYPD spokesperson during a memorial held in his honor.

A Legacy That Lives On

Apollo’s legacy continues to inspire K-9 units across the country. Each year on 9/11, officers and handlers remember not just the human toll, but the canine heroes who worked side-by-side with them—without question, without fear.

The story of Apollo reminds us of the many forms that heroism can take—and the silent, loyal figures who often work in the background during our darkest hours.

Police/Fire/EMS

Haverstraw Police Join No-Shave November to Support Cancer Awareness 2026

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Residents may notice a few more beards among the officers of the Town of Haverstraw Police Department this November, and it’s all for a good cause.

The department announced that officers are participating in No-Shave November, an annual campaign that raises awareness and funds for cancer-related causes.

With approval from Town Supervisor Howard Phillips, the Town Board and the Chief of Police, participating officers will be putting down their razors for the month while supporting the charitable initiative.

Each participating officer will also make a personal donation to help support the effort.

The department encourages residents not to be surprised if they see officers sporting some extra facial hair throughout November, noting that it’s not a change in grooming standards but rather a way to show support for an important cause.

No-Shave November encourages participants to embrace their natural hair growth while raising awareness and funds for cancer research and support programs.

Police/Fire/EMS

Chestnut Ridge Middle School Bomb Threat Prompts Evacuation October 29, 2026

Published

6 days ago

October 30, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Students and staff were evacuated from Chestnut Ridge Middle School on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a reported bomb threat, according to the Ramapo Police Department.

Police said officers responded to the school at approximately 1:11 p.m. after receiving a report of a bomb threat. Students and staff were safely evacuated from the building and transported to an off-site location.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to assist with a search of the school. Explosive detection K-9 units from the Ramapo Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Town of Woodbury Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office participated in the search.

The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Unit also assisted at the scene.

No explosive devices were found during the search, police confirmed.

Emergency personnel from the South Spring Valley Fire Department, Monsey Fire Department and William P. Faist Volunteer Ambulance Corps were also staged at an off-site location and remained ready to respond if needed.

The Ramapo Police Department’s Investigations Division is continuing to investigate the incident, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400. Police said all calls will be kept confidential.