2996 Project: Charles Mills

Name: Charles M. Mills Jr.

Age: 61

Residence: Brentwood, NY, United States

Occupation: Director of the Petroleum, Alcohol and Tobacco Bureau, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Location: World Trade Center, Tower 2, 87th floor


I have been twice honored, and humbled, by my participation in the 2996 Project. I have just been given the name of a second person to honor, and I am moved and tearful as the anniversary is only hours away now. Reading everyone's remembrance pages is having such a profound effect on me, it's something that I cannot properly articulate.

I had first been privileged to honor Bernard Pietronico, a loving father, husband, and community leader. Now, I am here to share with you, and remember, the life of one of New York's Finest.

The thing that amazes me the most, as I am reading about the life of Charlie Mills, is how many people he touched through his lifetime of work in law enforcement. Entire communities benefitted from his work as he served the state of New York in many different capacities.

According to a former Transit Officer who served with him by the name of Chris McKeon (Mr. McKeon's original tribute can be viewed in full here ) "Long before 9-11-01, before he worked for the NYS Dept of Taxation & Finance, before he was Police Commissioner of Schenectady, Chief of Police in Troy, and Director of Campus Police at SUNY-Albany, the Twin Towers and NYC, I knew Charles Mills."

This man was a rookie transit cop and he speaks so warmly of "The Cap" who bought him dinner when he was just assigned, and who also remained calm as this rookie, who was also a new driver, gave him the ride of a lifetime on one of their first calls together. The drive was so adventuresome, says McKeon, "After he peeled his face off the windshield, and regained his seat, Captain Mills nonchalantly said to me "Officer, you have to know this - if you hurt me, MY WIFE WILL GET YOU!" So memorable was that trip that Charlie Mills reminded McKeon of it every time he saw him. For the next nine years.

Charlie Mills was overseeing the evacuation of employees from WTC on September 11th when his life was taken. He was still doing his duty to serve and protect, until the very end of his life on this Earth. He was the epitome of what it means to be a police officer. I wish I had had the honor of shaking his hand and thanking him for his service.

I honestly could not say anything more telling, or touching about this man than is written in a poem by a dear friend and fellow law enforcement officer. As I have been charged with the solemn and sacred task of preparing this tribute at the eleventh hour, I can only pray that this man will not mind that I am quoting his poem here. If I had more time, I would have written first for permission.

This poem appears, along with an absolutely fascinating look into the life and career of Charlie Mills on the website of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. Here is a link to the entire tribute: which is absolutely amazing. Please, click the link and read it in full.

Charlie Mills did, among many other things, go undercover in the communities he oversaw to find out the real problems on the street, so that he could fix them and improve life for all the citizens under his watch.

What more can be said?

I thank you, Mr. Terry O'Neill for letting me get to know your friend Charlie through this article, and the following incredible poetic tribute. I will never forget his life of service.

"Schenectady had woes and ills.
And so, we hired Charlie Mills.
When Charlie took the town's commission,
He swore improvement as his mission.

He went to work at breakneck pace
To make an impact on the place.
No iv'ry tower for this Commish.
He cut his bait and caught his fish.

He lasted but a brief few years;
But left with our regrets and tears.
Yes, o, this town did Charlie touch
And that is why we love him much.

Was there a time when Charlie quailed?
When of our trust that Charlie failed?
Never happened. There's no way
That he'd not rush to save the day.

In times of old did al-Rashid
Concerned with all his people's need
Go forth at night in beggars' clothes
To learn first hand the people's woes.

Thus did Charlie pound a beat
Like any patrolman on the street.
Thus did Charlie win our hearts:
Community cop -- was Charlie's art.

From far away beyond our town
Someone sought to strike him down
And take from us our faithful friend
Who with such heart did us defend.

They tried by such horrific crime
To set a-back the hands of time.
However they might hurt us much
There's something that they cannot touch.

For everywhere that cops walk beats
There's some of Charlie on those streets.
You cannot keep a good man down
And still he watches o'er our town.

Behold our man from flames arise.
Behold our Charlie's ice blue eyes.
Towering tall above Ground Zero
Stands Charlie Mills, American Hero." ~ Poem by Terry O'Neill

Please visit this link to read more 2996 tributes.

Never forget.

~Ro

Note: The 2996 site has been swamped and has crashed its server. While it is down Greg has set up a mirror website at: http://www.geckopad.com/2996.html

A Personal Note added on 9/11: There is a lot of talk going around about "Right/Left now and trying to say that this project is political. When I signed up, I saw nothing, nor do I see anything now, about politics on DC Roe's website. Most of the blogs I have seen have not made this about politics.

I just hope and pray that for one day, for one mission, at least, we can leave right or left out of this. It has nothing to do with that.

It is about the people lost that day. About honoring and remembering them. Lets keep our focus where it should be, please. Please.