The NYPD held roll call Tuesday morning for the 23 members of the department killed in the attacks. Our Dean Meminger was there and has more.

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NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- NYPD officers and recruits standing in silence to remember the 23 members of the department killed on 9/11. In a roll call, their names were read out loud as they were saluted for their service and ultimate sacrifice.

"We honor them daily by protecting the American way of life for which they did that day," said NYPD Deputy Inspector Ted Berntsen.

This ceremony at the 13th precinct was brief, but significant. Sister Angelina Randazzo stopped by to comfort officers and hand out prayer cards.

"We pray for them every day,” Randazo said. “All the police officers, the firemen, the sanitary people. We pray for them every day that God will give them strength and courage to carry on."

And for some officers and retired ones, that's hard to do because of illnesses contracted from the dust cloud of debris at the world trade center site.

"We have lost over 60 more members to illness. So many of our members are struggling from their service then, they are struggling with illness now. We also remember them as we stand here in respectful silence," said PBA President Pat Lynch.

"We just had another guy a friend of ours from emergency die from a cancer related to 9/11. It will take its toll. I think that is just the unfortunate part of it," said John Lambkin, a retired ESU officer.

After the 9/11 attacks, the NYPD would change forever. It became a force to protect the city against terrorism.

Approximately one thousand officers are now dedicated to what's called the counterterrorism unit: Patrolling the roads, waterways and skies around the city for any signs of potential threats. Some officers even working overseas to investigate terrorism.

"It is a heightened alert especially on days like this. You can never let your guard down. But they go out there and do their jobs and they do it well," police union trustee John Flynn said.

But they say they hope they never face a day like 9/11 again.
At the 13th precinct in Manhattan Dean Meminger.