First Responder Miraculously Survived 13 Hours Buried in Rubble of 9/11. 25 Years Later, He’s Raised a ‘Beautiful’ Family (Exclusive)

Will Jimeno, a retired police officer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, reflects on the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, and how they have shaped his life. Speaking with PEOPLE magazine for the latest edition, Jimeno shares an uplifting narrative of resilience amid darkness, focusing on the light rather than the despair.

That fateful day 25 years ago, Jimeno was a rookie officer aged 33 and had just begun to carve out his career. Following the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center, he became one of the few first responders who, after being trapped beneath the debris, managed to survive. The sight of office workers in distress, some leaping from the buildings, shook him as he hurried through the shopping mall underneath the twin towers, determined to assist those still inside.

Suddenly, the south tower collapsed, releasing a deafening explosion that Jimeno described as “the roar of the devil.” The impact threw him backwards, and as debris descended, it killed two of his partners, Christopher Amoroso and Antonio Rodrigues, and left Jimeno buried under tons of concrete and steel.

Trapped in darkness, Jimeno’s mind turned to despair. He feared for his life and that of his colleagues, the thoughts racing through his head now entwining with the image of his wife, Allison, who was seven months pregnant at the time. He shouted to his supervisor, Sergeant John McLoughlin, urging him to relay a message to Allison: “Can you let her know to name our baby Olivia?” However, he was unaware that the radio was inoperable.

For over ten hours, Jimeno and McLoughlin remained trapped beneath the rubble, where hope seemed fleeting. Miraculously, two Marines and a civilian heard their cries and, along with NYPD officers Scott Strauss and Patrick McGee, initiated a rescue operation that lasted three harrowing hours. “We told them, ‘We’re staying, and we’re getting them out,’” Strauss recalled, recounting the risks they faced amid the chaos.

Ultimately freed from the wreckage, Jimeno emerged into a world shattered by tragedy. Nearly 3,000 lives had been claimed in the attacks, leading to monumental changes for the United States, including military interventions abroad. Yet, life managed to triumph in Jimeno’s story as, on his 34th birthday in November 2001, he witnessed the birth of his daughter, Olivia, from a wheelchair.

The years that followed were a testament to family and resilience. Jimeno describes his life as one filled with gratitude for what he calls a “second lease on life.” He has celebrated countless milestones alongside his daughters, Bianca and Olivia, and his wife, Allison, cherishing each moment that others tragically did not have the chance to experience.

Reflecting on the day of the attacks, Jimeno noted that what started as a promising morning turned into a struggle for survival when he reported for duty at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Subsequently trapped in the debris, he faced pain and uncertainty, with McLoughlin’s voice guiding him to survive against the odds: “If you fall asleep, you’re going to die.”

The rescue was just the beginning of a long road to recovery. With eight surgeries and nearly three months in inpatient care, Jimeno faced numerous challenges, including a partially paralysed left leg and coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that threatened to eclipse his life. He candidly admitted to contemplating suicide during this tumultuous period.

With determination, Jimeno sought help to confront the psychological scars of that day. “I had to learn how to look at the triggers,” he shared, a process he acknowledged as arduous. His journey towards healing was further aided by sharing his story alongside McLoughlin, creating a means to help others process their own pain and loss.

Today, Jimeno leads a fulfilling life. He takes pride in being an active presence in his daughters’ lives, a role Olivia cherishes deeply. Now 24 and working for the Department of Veterans Affairs, she appreciates the legacy shaped by her father’s experience on 9/11. “This is part of my family’s legacy forever,” she said, recognising the indelible mark that day left on their lives while underscoring the importance of sharing their story.

Jimeno’s enduring spirit reflects a resilience inherent in humanity. As he contemplates the lessons of his past, he acknowledges that while tragedy may be an inevitable part of life for many, it is the ability to rise from despair that truly defines one’s journey. “You have to get up, pick up the pieces, and move forward,” he encourages, offering a message of hope to all those grappling with their own dark moments.