Title:
Original 9/11 Ground Zero Photograph – "Aftermath of Attack" at West Broadway & Barclay St by Responding NJ Police Officer Mike Coppola, PSA Type III Authenticated

Description:
This original digitally printed photograph captures the devastation at Ground Zero shortly after the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The image—taken at the intersection of West Broadway and Barclay Street—shows scorched vehicles, dense rubble, and a destroyed NYPD patrol car against a backdrop of heavy smoke and urban wreckage. It was taken by Mike Coppola, a New Jersey police officer, EMT, and volunteer firefighter who responded to the disaster as a member of Metro Fire Radio, a private organization providing volunteer emergency communications during disasters and public emergencies.

The reverse of the photo bears Coppola’s name, contact information, and website. Slabbed and encapsulated by PSA as a Type III photograph, the image is printed on Konica photographic paper and measures approximately 5" x 7". It remains vivid and well-preserved within its tamper-evident PSA holder.

Historical Context:
On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths and transforming Lower Manhattan into a disaster zone. Mike Coppola, the photographer of this image, rushed to the scene from New Jersey alongside the Jersey City Fire Department. As a trained first responder, Coppola began documenting the chaos and heroism unfolding at Ground Zero.

In a firsthand account published in Police Magazine on October 31, 2001, titled “I Heard the Snap of the Tower,” Coppola described his arrival:

“We began taking photos. Our original purpose was to document the operation, knowing how many people were working there. Then we heard the sound. Tower One began to crack at the seams from the heat of the jet fuel fire. Then came the snap—the final breaking point. There was no time to think, only to run. We couldn’t even take photographs. We were running for our lives.”

After the towers fell, Coppola returned to what he described as a “war zone” to reassess and continue documenting:

“We updated Metro as soon as we could and went right back to work—putting out even more fires and dodging exploding cars. We photographed what we could, when we could. On that day, I saw heroes in action, and they were all around me.”

This photograph was one of the images taken during those harrowing hours and serves as a visual record of the courage and destruction witnessed firsthand by emergency responders.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
PSA/DNA has authenticated this image as a Type III Photograph, meaning it was produced from the original digital source within two years of the event.

• PSA Certification Number: 68576353

• PSA red label includes title, location, and photographer details:
  "DIGITAL PRINTED PHOTOGRAPH / AFTERMATH OF ATTACK / WEST BROADWAY & BARCLAY ST / MIKE J. COPPOLA"

• Reverse includes a printed label with Coppola’s contact information and website: www.metrofireradio.com

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This PSA-authenticated Ground Zero photograph is not only a visual chronicle of the September 11 attacks but also a firsthand perspective from a brave New Jersey police officer and first responder who rushed into danger to help and document history. Its raw imagery, combined with its deeply personal origin, makes it a compelling addition for collectors of 9/11 memorabilia, law enforcement history, or American resilience. A true artifact of courage captured in real time.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.

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