'The best image of a human being I’ve ever known.' Bronx River Day celebrates 9/11 hero

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Soundview's annual Bronx River Day celebrated on Saturday a Bronx native who died in an attempt to save lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The sacrifice of New York State Courts Captain William Harry Thompson is still being remembered almost 23 years later. “Always emotional when you come back to commemorate my father and just what he meant to the community,” said Michael Thompson, Captain Thompson’s son. This year’s Bronx River Day was dedicated to Captain Thompson, who was born and raised in this community. In 2022, the park in Bronx River Houses was named after Captain Thompson. “When we got the call, a couple of years ago that they were moving ahead with it, certainly very, very humbling, extremely grateful,” said Michael Thompson. Jerald Hollingsworth, a friend of Captain Thompson for over 40 years, said he played a major role in getting the park renamed. ”The best person. The best image of a human being I’ve ever known,” Hollingsworth said. There was a large community presence at the event where participants gave out free food and T-shirts. There was even a DJ to entertain attendees. Following the tribute, there was a basketball game that pitted the NYPD against New York State Courts. Michael Thompson told News 12 that basketball was his father’s favorite sport. “The fellowship that took place on the basketball court as we were growing up, obviously, my dad was a focal point of that,” Michael Thompson. Captain Thompson's family plans to create a foundation in his honor to continue to remember the sacrifices made on 9/11. "