The Man Behind Badge # 711

Tom Cooney is a calm, good-natured man with a keen sense of responsibility, which is probably why he devoted his entire life to public service. After he completed a tour of duty in the army, Cooney's dream of becoming a New York City fireman came true in 1959, when he was sworn in and issued lucky badge #711. For 20 years he would faithfully serve the people of New York. During those years he also had a part-time chauffeuring job driving for William F. Buckley Jr., who was, among other things, editor of the National Review, a syndicated columnist, author, and host of Firing Line. In 1997, Cooney retired to enjoy his golden years with Edie, his wife of 43 years. But on September 11, 2001, he knew he had to help. Cooney would spend ten to twelve hours a day at Ground Zero during the recovery process. He returned to the site as often as he could, amazed that so many other retired firefighters were there as well, working alongside the active FD men. After battling two types of cancer that were later linked to the events of 9/11, Tom Cooney is healthy and fully retired. He is genuinely proud of his past as he repeatedly put his life on the line, along with his fellow firefighters, to help save lives and property. He knows he is blessed to have two families-his wife, three children, and six grandchildren, and his comrades from the New York Fire Department. Badge #711 is his story.