25 Years Later: Reflecting on the Lasting Impact of September 11th in Bergen County

The 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks brings a profound moment of reflection for Bergen County, a region inextricably linked to the tragedies of that day. As a premier commuter hub situated just miles from Lower Manhattan, Northern New Jersey suffered a staggering human toll. A quarter century later, the enduring ripple effects of the World Trade Center attacks continue to shape the community and its residents.

The Immediate Toll on Local Communities

On September 11, 2001, 147 residents of Bergen County lost their lives. The victims represented a vast cross-section of the local populace, encompassing financial executives, office workers, and dedicated first responders who rushed toward the towers.

The losses were heavily concentrated in commuter towns located along the region’s main transit lines. Ridgewood and Glen Rock were among the hardest hit in the state, losing a combined 33 residents and former residents on that single day. Other municipalities, including Wyckoff, Teaneck, Fort Lee, and Paramus, also suffered significant losses, with each town losing multiple community members. Local neighborhoods were marked by vehicles of the victims left at train station parking lots, fundamentally altering the fabric of these close-knit towns.

The Ongoing Tragedy of 9/11-Related Illnesses

While the immediate death toll of Bergen County residents stands at 147, the true number of casualties has grown significantly over the last 25 years. The first responders, volunteers, and local tradespeople from Bergen County who spent days and weeks at Ground Zero during the rescue and recovery efforts were exposed to severely toxic dust and chemical debris.

Today, the toll of 9/11-related illnesses, including severe respiratory diseases and various forms of cancer, continues to claim the lives of Bergen County residents. Local officials formally recognize these ongoing losses alongside the victims of the original attacks, acknowledging that the sacrifices made by those who answered the call remain an active and painful reality for countless local families.

The Enduring Legacy of Joseph Zadroga: A Father’s Fight for First Responders

Joseph Zadroga’s legacy remains an integral part of Bergen County’s connection to the aftermath of September 11th. A former Chief of the North Arlington Police Department who retired in 1997, Zadroga became a fierce national advocate for Ground Zero recovery workers following the tragic loss of his son. His son, NYPD Detective James Zadroga, was the first police officer whose death in 2006 at age of 34 was directly attributed to toxic chemical exposure from the World Trade Center site. Turning his profound grief into a singular mission, Joseph Zadroga spearheaded the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, a landmark law providing vital health screenings and financial aid to sickened first responders.

In his hometown of North Arlington, Zadroga’s sacrifice was commemorated on September 21, 2008, when the Skyline Sports Complex, located on Schuyler Avenue with clear views toward Lower Manhattan was officially redesignated as the James Zadroga Soccer Field.

Joseph Zadroga passed away in a tragic accident in early 2024 at the age of 76, his courage and tenacity ensure that his memory and the countless heroes he fought to protect will always be honored in Bergen County and beyond.

25th Anniversary Memorial Events in Bergen County

As the region honors the memories of those lost, the County of Bergen has confirmed two official memorial events leading up to and occurring on Friday, September 11, 2026. Both gatherings will take place at Overpeck County Park, home to the Bergen County 9/11 Monument, which stands as a permanent tribute to every local resident lost.

• 9/11 Memorial Vigil (Thursday, September 10, 2026): Beginning at 6:00 PM at the Overpeck County Park Amphitheater in the Ridgefield Park Area, the county will host a special candlelight vigil featuring musical accompaniment by the New Jersey Wind Symphony. The program will feature remarks from community leaders, a tribute to the victims and their families, a recognition of first responders, and a formal candle-lighting ceremony.
• Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony (Friday, September 11, 2026): The official solemn remembrance will take place at 3:30 PM at the Bergen County 9/11 Monument in the Henry Hoebel Area of Overpeck County Park (Leonia, NJ).

A quarter century has passed, yet the physical and emotional markers of September 11 remain deeply embedded in Bergen County’s identity. The continued observance of these memorials ensures that the sacrifices of our local residents, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of these specific municipalities are permanently honored.

From all of us at BergenRealEstate.com, our deepest sympathies and continued prayers remain with the victims’ families, the courageous first responders, those enduring 9/11-related illnesses, residents who faced resulting career hardships, and everyone across our county still navigating the physical and emotional impacts of September 11, 2001.