The band was formed in 1979 when a group of police officers met to explore the possibility of taking music lessons in the bagpipes and drums. After months of formal training and hard work the band made its first public appearance in 1980 and welcomed home the Americans that had been held hostage during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Since that time, the band has performed in many parades and celebrations in the New York metropolitan area as well as other locations across the country from Maine to Washington D.C., and as far south as New Orleans; winning awards and trophies for many of their appearances. The members consist of police officers and civilians of the Port Authority and have offered the opportunity to other law enforcement and emergency service personnel and civilians from outside the Port Authority to participate in our program.

In early 1999, after wearing a traditional green kilt for over twenty years, the band voted to change the uniform to more closely represent the police department by wearing the colors of blue and gold.

The uniforms were delivered in January of 2000 in time for the 100th police graduation class. The enjoyment of the new uniforms was short-lived when the terror attacks of September 11th struck our nation. During the attack seventy-five members of the Port Authority family were lost at the World Trade Center. Thirty-seven were Port Authority Police officers. From the thirty-seven, three were drummers with the band. This devastation did not prevent the band from performing its most solemn task, a funeral for a fallen officer. The band played at over forty funerals and memorial services with the help of the New Jersey United Pipe Band in the fall of 2001, sometimes two or three and on one occasion five services in a single day.

With fixed intention, the Port Authority Police Pipes & Drums continues to demonstrate its commitment to distinction.

 

 

Steven Huczko

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Cause of Death: Terrorist attack
Date of Incident: Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon Used: Aircraft; Passenger jet
Suspect Info: 19 suicide attackers

Officer Stephen Huczko was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center.

A bass drummer in the Port Authority Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, Huczko is survived by his wife, Kate McGuire, and their four children, Kaitlyn, Liam, Cullen and Aiden.

Stephen Huczko, forty-four, a fifteen-year veteran of the Port Authority Police, was last seen by his wife, Kathleen, before he went to work on September 11. He, along with colleagues Officer James Parham, Chief James Romito, Lieutenant Robert Cirri, and Captain Kathy Mazza were found buried with a woman they were trying to rescue.

 

Richard Rodriguez

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 1625

Cause of Death: Terrorist attack
Date of Incident: Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon Used: Aircraft; Passenger jet
Suspect Info: 19 suicide attackers

Officer Richard Rodriguez was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center.

Officer Rodriguez was at the police academy at the time the first plane struck and he immediately responded to the scene with other officers, arriving just as the second plane hit the towers. Officer Rodriguez was credited with saving many lives before being killed during the second collapse.

Officer Rodriguez had served with the Port Authority Police for 8 years and was assigned to the Police Academy.

 

Liam Callahan

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: 899

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Terrorist attack
Date of Incident: Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon Used: Aircraft; Passenger jet
Suspect Info: 19 suicide attackers

Officer Liam Callahan was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The officer had served with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department for 22 years.