Nearly 1,000 recruits graduated Wednesday from the New York Police Department’s Police Academy in Queens, marking their official transition to full-fledged officers, with several among them carrying deeply personal connections to 9/11 and the department.

Casey Kloepfer, 29, was among the graduates who wore his late father’s badge number with pride. His father, Officer Ronald Kloepfer, was a member of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and died during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, while attempting to rescue victims trapped in the World Trade Center. Wearing his father’s preserved Class A dress uniform, Kloepfer said he felt a strong personal duty to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“My mother and sisters are proud, but also a bit nervous,” Kloepfer said. “They know what comes with the job, but they know it’s the right path for me. I’m trying to be as helpful and as good a cop as he was.”

Another graduate honoring a family member lost on 9/11 is Erica Tierney. Her uncle, NYPD Officer Stephen Driscoll, died in the attacks, and her father, a retired NYPD sergeant, pinned her badge during the ceremony. Tierney acknowledged the influence both relatives had on her career choice.

“Seeing how they helped people in a positive way inspired me to want to do the same,” Tierney said.

Among the class was Christian Leon, whose journey into law enforcement took a different path. Five years earlier, Leon was involved in a serious car accident on the Grand Central Parkway. He was rescued from the wreckage by then off-duty Detective James Fares just before the vehicle caught fire. Leon, who had been studying biology and had plans for a medical career, wrote about the incident in his NYPD application essay. During the ceremony, Fares pinned the badge on Leon’s chest, connecting the two in a poignant moment.

“I got goosebumps,” Leon said. “He’s the reason I’m here. He saved my life.”

Fares, who did not initially recall the incident in detail, described his quick response after witnessing the crash.

“I saw smoke and his car veer off. I pulled up, grabbed him, and got him to safety before the flames came,” Fares said. “It was very touching to see that experience inspired him to become an officer. It’s an inspiration for others.”

The ceremonies underscored the personal motivations and family legacies that drive many of New York’s newest officers. As they prepare to serve their communities, stories like these reflect the complex histories and commitments behind the badges.