Fire Badge
Photo credit: Matt Flynn
Accession Number: C.2012.356.1
Dimensions: 2.875 in X 2.25 in X 0.25 in
Dimensions (Metric): 7.3025 cm X 5.715 cm X 0.635 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 7.3025 cm X 5.715 cm X 0.635 cm
Source: Michael Thomas Burke
Credit Line: Gift of the Burke family in memory of Capt. William F. Burke, Jr. E-21
Description
Silver-plated metal FDNY captain badge belonging to Captain William Francis Burke, Jr. The badge features the New York City municipal seal in the center with "Fire Dept. City of New York | Captain" in silver letters surrounding the red-colored seal. The number "98" is in red below the eagle emblem forming the top of the badge.
Silver-plated metal FDNY captain badge belonging to Captain William Francis Burke, Jr. The badge features the New York City municipal seal in the center with "Fire Dept. City of New York | Captain" in silver letters surrounding the red-colored seal. The number "98" is in red below the eagle emblem forming the top of the badge.
Historical Notes
Native New Yorker William Burke lived in Manhattan. Billy was a firefighter for more than 20 years and a lifeguard for 25 summers at a Long Island beach. He mentored young firefighters as an instructor at the Fire Academy and later became a captain in FDNY Engine Company 21. On September 11, Captain Burke ordered his unit out of the North Tower while he stayed to assist others. He was 46 years old.
Native New Yorker William Burke lived in Manhattan. Billy was a firefighter for more than 20 years and a lifeguard for 25 summers at a Long Island beach. He mentored young firefighters as an instructor at the Fire Academy and later became a captain in FDNY Engine Company 21. On September 11, Captain Burke ordered his unit out of the North Tower while he stayed to assist others. He was 46 years old.
Curator's Comment
Having reached the 27th floor of the North Tower and aware that the South Tower had collapsed, FDNY Engine Company 21 Captain William "Billy" Burke ordered the men under his command to evacuate, promising to meet them later, “at the rig.”
Burke stayed behind and assisted Empire BlueCross BlueShield computer programmers Edward Beyea and Abraham Zelmanowitz. Zelmanowitz refused to abandon Beyea, his colleague and friend, a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic. Earlier, they had urged Beyea’s aide, Irma Fuller, to evacuate, asking her to let rescue workers know they were in stairwell C on the 27th floor.
Beyea, Burke, and Zelmanowitz were able to telephone family and friends. Beyea assured his mother that he would be okay. Zelmanowitz told his family that they were with a firefighter. Burke called a friend, who begged him to be safe. He is reported to have told her, "This is my job. This is who I am." The three men were last seen together before the North Tower collapsed. Burke would be the only member of his firehouse to perish on September 11.
HIDE
Having reached the 27th floor of the North Tower and aware that the South Tower had collapsed, FDNY Engine Company 21 Captain William "Billy" Burke ordered the men under his command to evacuate, promising to meet them later, “at the rig.”
Burke stayed behind and assisted Empire BlueCross BlueShield computer programmers Edward Beyea and Abraham Zelmanowitz. Zelmanowitz refused to abandon Beyea, his colleague and friend, a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic. Earlier, they had urged Beyea’s aide, Irma Fuller, to evacuate, asking her to let rescue workers know they were in stairwell C on the 27th floor.
Beyea, Burke, and Zelmanowitz were able to telephone family and friends. Beyea assured his mother that he would be okay. Zelmanowitz told his family that they were with a firefighter. Burke called a friend, who begged him to be safe. He is reported to have told her, "This is my job. This is who I am." The three men were last seen together before the North Tower collapsed. Burke would be the only member of his firehouse to perish on September 11.
HIDE
