FLORIDA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION

New York to join the search and recovery effort, working alongside firefighters, law enforcement officers, engineers, and rescue specialists from across the country. The state's first responders were not bystanders — they were active participants, standing alongside their counterparts when it mattered most. September 11, 2001, remains the deadliest day for law enforcement in U.S. history, when 72 ocers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Within 72 hours of the attacks, Florida's government was already moving. On Sept. 14, 2001, Gov. Jeb Bush directed FDLE and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to conduct an immediate assessment of the state's ability to prevent, mitigate, and respond to a terrorist attack. The result was historic: Florida's counterterrorism strategy, released in October 2001, became the first comprehensive state-level counterterrorism strategy published in the nation. Florida did not wait for a federal playbook. It wrote its own. FLORIDA SHERIFFS STEP INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE Following the attacks, FDLE partnered with Florida's sheriffis to establish seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces, one for each of the state's FDLE regions. Each task force is co-chaired by a local sheri or police chief and an FDLE special agent in charge, with membership spanning first responders, emergency management, public health, and private industry. The task forces serve as force multipliers, enabling agencies to coordinate resources, share intelligence, and respond to threats at a scale no single agency could manage alone. The September 11 attacks exposed critical gaps in how agencies shared information and coordinated action. Intelligence existed in fragments but was never connected into a coherent warning. What was missing was not information — it was integration. By embedding sheriffs as co-chairs of regional task forces, Florida institutionalized the cross-agency communication that had been absent before the attacks. Sheriffs became not just recipients of federal intelligence but active participants in gathering, analyzing, and acting on it. NEVER FORGETTING A quarter century later, the lessons of September 11 remain embedded in how Florida's sheriffs operate every day. Intelligence- led policing is now a baseline expectation. The date carries particular weight here — in a state that hosted the men who trained for the attacks, sent first responders to the front lines of recovery, and produced the nation's first state-level counterterrorism strategy. Florida's sherffs continue to carry that responsibility forward, guided by a mission permanently shaped by September 11 and built around the ongoing work of keeping Florida's communities safe. but it reflected the unity and resilience of those who answered the call. On his final day, Pergola assisted the New York City Police Department during a funeral service at St. Patrick's Cathedral, standing in tribute to fallen heroes and in support of a grieving city. Twenty-five years later, Capt. Mark Pergola reflects on the experience as one of the most meaningful moments of his career. He credits it with strengthening his commitment to public service and reinforcing the importance of teamwork, preparedness, and compassion in law enforcement. As the Seminole County Sheriff's office joins the nation in remembrance, Pergola hopes future generations will never forget the sacrifices made and will remain vigilant in protecting their communities. READ THE FULL STORY Visit flsheris.org/blog to explore the complete history of Florida's 9/11 response, the development of the state's domestic security partnerships, and the continuing role of Florida's sheriffs. Seminole County Sheriff's Office K-9 patrol car in New York City Florida Sheriffs deploy to New York City to help the country rebuild.

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