Patrick McGee Sr.

  • First Responder
  • ASL

NYPD officer assigned to Emergency Service Squad 1, who was off duty but raced to help on 9/11, ultimately rescuing trapped PAPD officer Will Jimeno and Sargent John McLoughlin. His son Patrick McGee Jr. is now a PAPD officer and wears Jimeno's badge number.

2023 Digital Learning Experience Video - Patrick McGee Sr. (ASL)

Patrick McGee Sr ASL

This story was filmed as part of our 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience, which introduces students to first-person accounts of the 9/11 attacks. Participate in our 2024 program by completing this registration form.

Teaching Guides

Find tailored questions below for teaching this story.

As you listen to Patrick Sr. and Patrick Jr., consider the following questions:

  • Describe Patrick Sr.’s morning. When did he realize something was wrong?
  • Patrick Sr. wasn't on duty that morning. Why did he go to the World Trade Center?
  • How did Patrick Sr.’s story demonstrate the importance of teamwork?
  • What kind of job did Patrick Jr. take on when he became an adult? How does he say the attacks affected him, even though he wasn’t there?
  • What can you do to honor and remember the events of 9/11 even though they happened before you were born?

As you listen to Patrick Sr. and Patrick Jr., consider the following questions:

  • Describe Patrick Sr.’s role in the Emergency Services Unit – what kinds of operations do they perform?
  • How long did Patrick Sr. think he would be working on the site? What kind of forethought did he display?
  • Describe the conditions you heard Patrick Sr. talk about as he attempted to help Sgt. McLoughlin. What unique challenges did rescuers face?
  • How did Patrick Jr’s awareness of the attacks change as he became an adult? How did learning about the severity of the attacks inspire him?
  • How does Patrick Jr.’s story demonstrate the ways the impact of an event continues to change over time?

As you listen to Patrick Sr. and Patrick Jr., consider the following questions:

  • When did Patrick Sr. realize that this was a deliberate attack? What did he think the implications would be?
  • How did Patrick Sr. display forethought and dedication to his job as he prepared to go to the World Trade Center?
  • Describe the conditions you saw and heard Patrick Sr. talk about as he attempted to help Sgt. McLoughlin. What unique challenges did rescuers face?
  • How does Patrick Sr. see 9/11 affecting people today?
  • Describe the evolution of Patrick Jr’s awareness of the attacks from childhood to adulthood. How did he choose to honor his father’s and Will Jimeno’s connection?
  • How does Patrick Jr.’s story demonstrate the changing and enduring impact of an event over time?

To learn more about Patrick Sr. and Patrick Jr., visit the MEMOblog. To hear more first-person accounts from those directly impacted by 9/11, return to the DLE Archive.