Police Officer Robert Fazio

Robert Fazio loved two things, his job and fast machines. “He loved cars and motorcycles … fixing them and having them,” said Carol Lovero, his sister. It was his love for them — he owned a pickup and a Harley-Davidson bike — and his helpful disposition that others knew the 41-year-old New York City police officer for, his sister said. It was not unusual for him to change the brakes on a neighbor’s car or to help someone stuck on the side of the road because their car broke down. “He would always go out of his way to help others,” she said. “I can’t count the times he helped me out. But never asked for help back.” A 17-year police veteran, Fazio was the community officer at the 13th Precinct on East 21st Street, where he spent the majority of his career. He grew up in South Hempstead and graduated from South Side High School in Rockville Centre in 1978. Recently, he lived near the water in Freeport, where he could be close to his other passion — boating. Fazio was on his regular tour with another 13th Precinct officer, Moira Smith, when they spotted the first plane hitting the towers. Smith called in the information, and then she and Fazio headed back to the nearby precinct to interview witnesses. Within the hour, they were at the site of the World Trade Center, where the two officers were last seen before the buildings collapsed. — Stacey Altherr