DOUGLAS WIGHT, CHARLES SUSSMAN and CLEMENTE LISI
NY Post Online
October 10, 2001 -- Thousands crowded into St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday to honor Assistant Chief Donald Burns, who was fondly remembered as a "walking encyclopedia" for his vast knowledge of the city.
Burns had set up a command post at the foot of the World Trade Center just minutes before the first tower collapsed.
"Chief Burns was the most intelligent man I had ever met," said Deputy Assistant Chief Albert Turi. "He knew more about New York than anyone - the location of any alarm box and every street in every borough."
Distraught family members - including his wife, Elizabeth, and three children, Lori, Michael, a Suffolk County police officer, and Patrick, a firefighter with Ladder Co. 123 in Brooklyn - were saluted by thousands of firefighters from across the country, who lined up alongside Fifth Avenue as the FDNY's Emerald Pipe Band bagpiped its way through "Amazing Grace."
Burns, 61, a decorated 39-year veteran of the department, was elevated to captain and later lieutenant before being named chief of operations shortly after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and promoted four years ago to citywide tour commander.
"He could have retired years ago, but it was his love of the job that kept him going. He could not give it up," said retired firefighter Bob Wood.
Also yesterday, the Fire Department memorialized seven others, including Thomas Hetzel of Ladder 13, a five-year veteran of the FDNY and a 15-year member of the Franklin Square Fire Department.
Some 2,000 mourners crammed into St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in West Hempstead, L.I., for a solemn funeral Mass honoring the 33-year-old firefighter, who had dreamed of being a fireman ever since he was a kid.
Meanwhile, some 2,000 court officers, cops and firefighters packed a jury room in State Supreme Court in Mineola, L.I., to pay tribute to State Supreme Court Officer Mitchel Wallace, 34, who rushed to the Twin Towers on foot and helped with the massive evacuation effort.
Wallace's girlfriend, Noreen McDonough, who had planned to marry the brave court officer this month after more than two years of trying to set a date, said Wallace couldn't wait to wed and start a family.
"God had other plans," said McDonough, before bursting into tears. "I told God to make sure he takes care of Mitch."
Also remembered yesterday were firefighters Martin DeMeo and Dennis Carey, both of Hazmat Co. 1, Lee Fehling of Engine 235, Capt. Frederick Ill of Ladder 2, Timothy McSweeney of Ladder 3 and Jeffrey Palazzo of Rescue 5.
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