2002 and 2003 Cops on Top, Fire on the Mountain Memorial Expeditions Announced

Click here for information and reports from the memorial expeditions
made on September 11, 2003

In the days that followed the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Cops on Top team members were deluged with requests and recommendations that a memorial expedition be carried out on behalf of the public safety officers that so heroically sacrificed their lives on that fateful day. On that single day, 71 police officers and 344 firefighters lost their lives in the performance of their duties. In stark contrast, prior to September 11, 2001, the single most deadly days for public safety officers had been November 24, 1917, when 9 police officers were killed, and April 17-1947, when 27 firefighters were killed in the line of duty.

In honor of the Police Officers and Firemen who sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2001, Cops on Top is planning a two-year series of expeditions. Additionally, Cops on Top, in order to more fully honor the sacrifice of so many public safety officers, will be joining forces with their sister team, Fire on the Mountain, a memorial climbing team comprised of firefighters.

The two-part expeditions consist of training and preparation climbs - conducted on September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks - and will culminate in 2003 with a never before attempted mountaineering feat.

In 2003, Cops on Top and Fire on the Mountain will jointly attempt to place a team of police and firefighter climbers on the summits of the highest points of all 50 States, all on the same, single day! Fifty Teams, Fifty States, One Day! All united in their efforts to honor the lives lost preserving the safety of America’s citizens.

During 2002, Cops on Top and Fire on the Mountain will be organizing the teams and testing the logistics needed to carry out such a lofty goal. In order to test communication equipment and to confirm the necessary routes needed to climb the more difficult of America’s highest peaks, Cops on Top and Fire on the Mountain climbed 13 of the 50 State’s highpoints, all on September 11, 2002.

Interested in joining on the 2002 and 2003 memorial expeditions? Cops on Top and Fire on the Mountain are recruiting volunteer climbers in all 50 states. Click here for information on how you can participate.