QUEENS — Casey Kloepfer graduated from the NYPD Police Academy on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, joining nearly 1,000 other recruits who became police officers. He wore his father's preserved Class A dress uniform during the graduation ceremony.

Kloepfer's father, NYPD ESU Officer Ronald Kloepfer, died on September 11, 2001, at the age of 38 while attempting to rescue victims in the World Trade Center. The recruits received their guns and shields at a Police Academy ceremony in Queens on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Casey Kloepfer, who is 29 years old, stated he always wanted to join the police force. "Being around the Police Department as a little kid, I always looked at these guys like they were superheroes," Kloepfer said. "I always just wanted to be one one day."

Kloepfer indicated his parents understood the risks of the job. "Obviously, they're a little nervous because they know what comes with the job, but they know it's the right path for me," he said.