Father’s 9/11 Heroism Still Shapes American Lives

Clear Facts

• America continues to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost.
• Lt. Kevin Dowdell, a decorated FDNY firefighter, died heroically during the rescue efforts on 9/11 after 21 years of service.
• His son Patrick Dowdell and family remain engaged in honoring his legacy and sharing his story with future generations.

Two decades after 9/11, Americans pause each year to remember those lost and to reflect on the heroism of first responders.

The tragic events still resonate strongly, especially for families who sacrificed so much, like the Dowdell family in New York City.

“We have been going to the firehouse every 9/11 since that day,” said Patrick Dowdell, son of Lt. Kevin Dowdell.

Lt. Dowdell spent 21 years with the FDNY, serving with Rescue 4 in Queens, and died on 9/11 while trying to save others.

“He had a very storied career and some really major events, including a roof rope rescue in Midtown Manhattan, a diner explosion in Queens. He responded to the Oklahoma City bombing and also, to the first World Trade Center bombing.”

Patrick recalls his father as a dedicated parent, always present for family dinners and supportive at every milestone.

“He would sit down at dinner and say ‘This is what I work all week for’ and now, we use that line with our kids when we go out for dinner.”

On the day of the attacks, Patrick was in college, and the Dowdell family anxiously awaited news as Lt. Dowdell’s firehouse was far from Lower Manhattan.

“As that night went on, we hadn’t heard from him, knew that he was working, and there was just this assumption that they were missing,” Patrick remembered.

The family clung to hope that Lt. Dowdell had survived, but slowly faced the grim reality as time passed.

“Every time the door opened, we would turn to see if it was him walking in,” Patrick recalled.

“I guess there was never this ah-ha moment that he wasn’t coming back. We just kind of had to gradually accept that.”

After 9/11, Patrick and his brother James joined Rescue 4 firefighters at Ground Zero, working for months in the recovery efforts.

“The idea was that, if we made a recovery, and we were able to identify that it was my father, that me and my brother, who was there as well, we would carry him out in the stokes basket with a flag over him.”

Lt. Dowdell’s remains were never recovered, but his halligan tool, marked with his initials and company, was found and returned to the family as a cherished keepsake.

Patrick finds solace in his father’s selfless service.

“It never goes away,” he said. “My dad never got to meet his grandchildren. He never got to see graduations.”

The Dowdell family continues to honor and share Lt. Dowdell’s example of putting duty and others before self, ensuring the next generation remembers the sacrifice made on that day.

Stay informed and honor America’s heroes by sharing these stories of selfless service in your community.

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