Sergeant Michael S. Curtin was a man who defined bravery and service. A U.S. Marine for 12 years before joining the New York Police Force, the Rocky Point native was part of the department’s elite Emergency Services Unit and answered the call at some of America’s darkest moments: the 1993 World Trade Center attack, the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, and finally, September 11, 2001. On that day, Curtin refused to retreat. He stayed behind to ensure others could evacuate, sacrificing his life when the North Tower collapsed. For his courage, he was posthumously awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor and the Medal of Valor, presented by President George W. Bush.
Out of that loss, Curtin’s family and friends established The 3256 Foundation, named for his NYPD shield number, to honor his legacy. “We started this right after it happened to keep Mike’s memory alive,” said co-founder and cousin Mike Finnican. “That’s the kind of guy Mike was—a big family man, someone who always put others first.”
For more than two decades, the nonprofit has quietly raised funds to support children, families, and first responders in need. Local hospitals, St. Jude’s, and even fellow officers who grew sick in the years after 9/11 have all benefited from its work. “We’re not looking for credit,” Finnican added. “We just want to help people, the way Mike would have.”
Each summer, the foundation hosts its signature memorial golf outing, drawing hundreds of participants over multiple courses. The day blends remembrance and community, with bagpipes, color guards, raffles, and plenty of family spirit. The event has become the driving force behind the foundation’s giving, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year to be put back into local causes.
Next year’s outing will carry even greater meaning. Marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the 2026 event is expected to be one of the largest yet, with supporters coming together not just to play a round of golf, but to reaffirm a promise: that Sgt. Michael Curtin’s sacrifice, and the sacrifices of so many others, will never be forgotten.