Department Detective Michael Jermyn is thanked for representing the New York Police and Fire Departments at the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour.

New York Police Department Detective Michael Jermyn (center) is thanked for representing the New York Police and Fire Departments at the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-108. Offering his handshake is NASA's Acting Administrator Daniel Mulville; Launch Director Mike Leinbach (left) applauds. At right is Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. Jermyn praised the efforts of the workers on the successful launch. Endeavour is carrying 6,000 flags that will be given to the families of those who died in the fall of the Twin Towers. Liftoff of Endeavour occurred at 5:19:28 p.m. EST (22:19.28 GMT). Endeavour will dock with the International Space Station on Dec. 7. STS-108 is the final Shuttle mission of 2001and the 107th Shuttle flight overall. It is the 12th flight to the Space Station. Landing of the orbiter at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility is targeted for 1:05 p.m. EST (18:05 p.m. GMT) Dec. 16