Omaha’s own Eugene Kowel, now the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Omaha office, and former Port Authority police officer Will Jimeno reunited this week, marking 25 years since they each faced the devastation of the September 11 attacks.
From the rubble to the present
Kowel had just begun a new prosecutorial role in New York City when the first plane struck the towers. He recalled thinking, “Well, let me go see if I can help,” and immediately began triaging victims, drawing on his experience as a volunteer firefighter.
Jimeno was part of a 20‑officer team that entered the South Tower to retrieve equipment, unaware that a second plane was about to hit. He described the moment the tower was struck: “We heard a humongous boom… I saw a humongous fireball, the size of my house.”
When the towers collapsed, Jimeno and his sergeant, John McLaughlin, were trapped beneath the debris. Jimeno recounted being crushed by a wall that fell down his left side. After three harrowing hours, he was rescued, while McLaughlin’s extraction took until the following day.
Rescue and reunion
Two Marines later located Jimeno and McLaughlin. Kowel, hearing the news, descended into the pile to assist the rescue effort, saying he did “everything I could to help dig Will and John out.” Both men survived, becoming the only two Port Authority officers to emerge alive from under the World Trade Center.
Reflecting on the experience, Kowel said the scene after the collapse was “a line of firefighters and police officers… I don’t think I put a hand down once.” Jimeno added, “We’ve seen since 9/11 that there are good men and women that step up, and I’m proof of that.”
Why the reunion matters
Their meeting underscores the enduring spirit of resilience and unity that arose from America’s darkest day. Both men expressed deep pride in the country’s response, noting the collective effort of emergency workers and civilians across the nation.
For Omaha, the reunion serves as a reminder that the values of courage, faith, and community service continue to shape the city’s fabric, inspiring current and future generations to stand together in the face of adversity.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
