Muslim rips down tribute to 9/11 hero
New York City police officer Paul Talty died trying to rescue victims of 9/11 attack on World Trade Center
A 26-year-old Muslim man tore down a portion of a memorial in New York City to a fallen hero of 9/11, screaming "This is political."
Turkish-born Adnan Emre was charged yesterday with destroying the tribute to New York City police officer Paul Talty, who was one of the first responders to the 9/11 attack, rushing into the south tower of the World Trade Center as it fell, the New York Post reported.
The memorial to Talty – who at age 40 left behind two children and a pregnant wife – consisted of his picture, a cross, a plaque and crossed American and Irish flags. The plaque is inscribed, "Rest in Peace, Paul. We miss you. God Bless."
It is attached to a light post at 50th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City.
Talty's wife gave birth to a girl two weeks after the attacks.
Emre faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, according to a spokeswoman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
The vandalism was witnessed by a passing booth clerk for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, who contacted police, the New York paper said.
The owner of a deli across from the memorial, Sung Park, fondly remembers Talty as a regular customer.
"Who would do this? He's a nut," Park said. "People died on 9/11 and this sicko destroys the memorial? You must be really sick."
The officer's mother, Barbara Talty, told the Post, "There are so many deranged people. This doesn't surprise me, but it's sad."
Talty's sister, Patricia Dougan, said the suspect must be unstable.
"I just have to think whoever would do this isn't right in the mind," she said.
