A new beach ramp accessible to the handicapped, located at area "E" at Sandy Hook, Gateway National Recreation Area, was dedicated June 13 to fallen Port Authority Police Officer Kenneth F. Tietjen. Tietjen, 31, a former resident of Middletown, was among the first Port Authority officers on the scene following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers.
According to Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-13th District), Tietjen was training a rookie officer when he heard the news and raced to the scene with his new partner.
The Tietjen family learned from Kenneth’s surviving partner that when the first tower went down and officers were racing into Tower Two wearing air packs because the dust and debris were too thick to breathe, Tietjen grabbed a remaining pack, giving his partner a thumbs up, and charged into Tower Two moments before it fell.
Tietjen’s parents, Ken and Janice, and sisters Cindy and Laurie, were in attendance at the access ramp dedication ceremony. His mother said she felt a ramp for the handicapped was a fitting remembrance for her son.
"Kenny loved to help children," she said. "Every year, the Special Olympics is hosted at Sandy Hook, and he would attend, helping out. It makes us very proud that Ken will be remembered by the special children who will use this ramp."
According to Janice Tietjen, her family has created a foundation in Kenneth’s name, and money donated was used to fund the ramp, as well as provide bicycles to needy children and computers to a children’s cancer center.
Sandy Hook Unit Superintendent Russ Wilson thanked the family.
"The Tietjen family will never know how many people they have helped, but there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of New Jersey residents who will benefit from their generosity," Wilson said.