Bob Beckwith, retired firefighter in famous image with Bush after 9/11, dies at 91

NEW YORK — Bob Beckwith, a retired firefighter whose chance encounter with the president amid the rubble of ground zero became part of an iconic image of American unity after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has died. FILE — Bob Beckwith, the retired New York City firefighter who was photographed on a pile of rubble with President George W. Bush at the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11th attacks, poses with the helmet he wore in the original photograph, at his home in Baldwin, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2006. In a statement, the former president said Beckwith’s “courage represented the defiant, resilient spirit of New Yorkers and Americans” following the attacks. “I was proud to have Bob by my side at Ground Zero days later and privileged to stay in touch with this patriot over the years.” New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh called the famous image “both inspiring and heartbreaking” and said efforts by Beckwith and other former first responders was a “testament to their devotion” to the department.