Lawrence Rivera's search and rescue unit was killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks at Ground Zero in Manhattan. He was the only EMT and paramedic from his station in that district to survive.

On September 10, he transferred out to the New Orleans Search and Rescue unit in Louisiana — missing 9/11 by just one day.

Lawrence Rivera is the classic all-around first responder and a United States Army Ranger (field corpsman). He fought in Iraq and has saved thousands of lives — in New York City, in New Orleans, in Louisiana, and while serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq.

Staff Sergeant Rivera, forever!