On Sept. 11, 2001, then-Captain Luis Valcarcel of the Court System’s Department of Public Safety happened to be in Albany attending a meeting on, of all things, emergency preparedness when the country was attacked by terrorists. He was viewing the events unfold on live television, watching as a large plane approached the World Trade Center, and knowing full well that his brother was inside that building.

Over his 47 years with the courts, Chief Valcarcel witnessed the growth of a newly unified court system that evolved under the nine Chief Judges under which he served. He ushered in new eras in security and helped make the Department of Public Safety the robust, cutting edge force that is today. But nothing compares to the moment he saw the plane hit the World Trade Center where his brother was working.

In this new Amici podcast, Chief Valcarcel, who is retiring effective April 1, shares his story of growing up in the Bronx with a little girl who is now one of the most influential individuals in the nation, as well his memories of 9/11 and the impact that day had not only on his life, but the entire court system.

Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2025-03/Chief%20Valcarcel%20final.pdf