For those of us that were in active service 25 years ago, we all can cite exactly where we were and what we felt on that fateful day when the United States was attacked.

Terrorists are strategic in their actions. Assessments have shown that the 9/11 locations were specifically targeted for their meaning in the world. The World Trade Center was the visual and actual center of the economic power of the United States. The Pentagon is the center of U.S. military power. The two planes that did not hit their marks—one that was courageously stopped by brave passengers and taken down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the other that was reported as a plan abandoned—were believed to be dispatched to target the U.S. Capitol and the White House, the centers of U.S. political power. The main target on 9/11 was Freedom, not only in the United States, but around the globe.

As we reflect on the 25-year anniversary of this somber occasion, we remember the service and sacrifice of those who perished on that day, and we remain vigilant to never forget. The impact of those planes and the fear that swept the United States still haunt many. The innocent victims on planes and in buildings, the courageous first responders, and the unsung heroes will forever be in our hearts. Those first responders who still suffer to this day from health issues from working at the crash sites remain in our prayers. I will always remember my dear friend, Knoxville Police Department Lieutenant Steve Tinder, who was deployed to assist as a member of the DMORT (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams) and lost his life to cancer from exposure at Ground Zero.

The main target on 9/11 was Freedom, not only in the United States but around the globe.

The swift response to take the fight to the enemy and seek out all who were responsible was important. The enemy thought they would create the downfall of freedom, but as we know, the world responded in resounding support of
freedom instead. The unification that we witnessed and the support for first responders and the military was inspiring. The effort to ensure freedom prevailed was real as stakeholders came together to agree on what was necessary to build a better system of intelligence and protection. Honest assessments identified the gaps and needs. Cooperative agreements, legislation, and new systems were created. We got better, and we built a safer world.

Unfortunately, time and distance have reversed much of what was built. Many of our peers who served through this history have retired and the next generation appears to have not been taught the history. We have seen the silos built back up that kept critical information from being shared that may have prevented the attacks. I have heard it said, and I have repeated it: The lights are blinking red again. We are back to September 10, 2001. Things are much worse today, and the social divide is deeper than it has been in a long time. Support for first responders and the military is not where it was on September 12, 2001, and the period following. Twenty-five years later. we have drifted from the lessons learned.

However, I am encouraged by the efforts of some of the veterans of that era who are currently engaged in the work to rekindle the system and improve on what was created and has since been diminished. The creation of the IACP Intelligence and Information Sharing Section has been our response to highlight what is needed and encourage a return to the proper focus on protecting freedom throughout the globe. We need a single system for intelligence sharing that puts the information in the hands of the public safety officials on the street, where those who seek to harm freedom will be found and stopped. We need to put life back into the system that was created to address safety and security that should be informed by local, state, and federal police officials. The terrorists have planned the next attack and are preparing. We must unite to stop them and protect freedom. We must never forget the lessons of 9/11.d

Please cite as

David B. Rausch, “Reflecting on 25 Years Since 9/11,” President’s Message, Police Chief 93, no. 9 (September 2026): 6–7.