09/11/2026
Students at the Oregon Public Safety Academy and DPSST staff gathered this morning for a special colors ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001. A quarter-century later, the magnitude of our nation's loss and its enduring impact on the public safety community remain as profound as ever.
DPSST Academy Dean Gerod Rayburn was a New York State Police trooper who deployed to Manhattan in the hours following the attacks and spent weeks supporting rescue and recovery efforts. During this morning’s ceremony, he shared his experience with academy students and spoke about what it means to serve: to stand shoulder to shoulder, to rely on one another, and to be there when it matters most.
“Being a first responder isn’t about being fearless, it’s about being prepared,” Rayburn said. “It’s about knowing you’re never doing this work alone. You lean on your partners, and they lean on you. Some days will feel routine. Some will test you. Every one of them will shape you.
He continued: “Even in the hardest moments, you will witness the best in people. You will see communities come together, you will see kindness from strangers, and you will see the impact your presence can make, sometimes in big ways, sometimes in ways you won’t recognize until years later.”