Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Into the Flames
Leonard W. Hatton Jr. was on his way to work in a downtown Manhattan office building on Sept. 11 when he noticed smoke billowing from the north tower of the trade center.
A volunteer firefighter and an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he changed course "and went straight there," said his wife, JoAnne Hatton.
He radioed the F.B.I. and relayed what he was seeing, one of his supervisors recalled, "then tried to pitch in and help as best he could."
For Mr. Hatton, 45, that meant going into the burning buildings and getting people out. "He didn't have to do that, but that was my husband," Mrs. Hatton said. "He joined right in with the fire department to help people and gave his life for it."
Mr. Hatton's mother, Marilyn Hatton, said he learned a lot from his father, who was a Ridgefield Park, N.J., police officer, and that he strove to instill the same values in the children he left behind: Courtney, 11, Jessica, 16, Lenny, 20, and Tara, 21.
May the love of friends and family carry you through your life. I am Beth Knapp's daughter and just wanted to let you know I was thinking about her friends (your family). I am so sorry for this loss and from what my mom and dad told me about Lenny, he was an amazing person. My heart is with you all.
Holly Casad
May 23, 2022 | Dayton, OH
Lenny was not only FBI, but served his town as a volunteer fireman, was a former Marine, and was a bomb technician. He was very skilled, but patient and kind. He trained other Agents, and was always among the first to volunteer for dirty and stressful jobs. His gracious wife and children are great examples to this day. I miss Lenny a lot, and want to thank folks here who have posted. Sam, I was very pleased to see that young folks are still learning of 9/11. And thank your teacher for their...
Chris Ryan
September 11, 2019 | Portchester, NY | Coworker
Thank you for serving the United States of America. We will never forget.
Dee Sims
September 11, 2019 | GA
Hello, my name is Sam. I go to Shanley High School and we are currently learning about the events of 9/11 and the heroic acts that took place. I researched Leonard Hatton and I learned so much. He was such an amazing person from the beginning of his life and to the end. He had so much bravery and courage to save peoples lives and Im in awe at how much he cared about the people in the towers. He has inspired me to be selfless and help others in my daily life. I will never forget his heroic...
Sam
September 03, 2019 | Fargo, ND
I'm visiting New York and today saw the street named in memory of this gentleman. I'm from the uk so I thought he must have been an upstanding member of the community I saw that he was FBI but had no idea of the history. God bless him and keep his family safe from any more tradgedy
Mary Louise Calvert
March 08, 2019 | Lancaster England
Sending our continued deep sympathy to your family. Many years have passed but Lenny is still missed. He touched many lives both privately and publicly and will always be remembered.
The Kindred Family
December 11, 2018
Dear family and friends of Leonard (Lenny) hatton,
You don't know me, but I just wanted to say I admire what he did on 9/11. I learned about him when I was lucky enough to be given him to look up for my 9/11 hero to write about. I just want to say sorry for your loss and that heaven gained an angel and that I was glad I got to learn and write about him and teach my friends and teachers about the great he did that day.
Michaela Doescher
September 19, 2016 | Fargo, ND
We always remember Leonard William Hatton Jr. every year on September 11 as our son brought home a small American flag with Mr. Hatton's name on it, from his school's remembrance ceremony on the 1 year anniversary after the attack. My son is now 23 years old, and this flag remains in our china cabinet. We are sorry for your loss and we will always remember him.
The Bohlander Family from Olney, MD.
September 11, 2016
Lenny Hatton was my dear cousin. I have many happy memories of Thanksgiving dinner celebrations at grandma and grandpa Frickes' country house in Walpack, N.J. And so many Fourth of July picnics at Lenny's house on Christie Street in Ridgefield Park, N.J. Our grandparents owned Fricke's, a famous restaurant located on the river in Ridgefield Park. Lenny's sisters, my cousins Cathy and Christine worked as hostesses there growing up. And cousin Danny was always so much fun. I loved my cousins...
August 01, 2014