RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Sgt. Rodney Hodges sifts through memorabilia in his office at the Virginia Division of Capitol Police in downtown Richmond, he's reminded of his response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He was working with the New York City Police Department as an undercover d etective in Lower Manhattan when the first tower was struck. "I thought actually a movie was being filmed at the time," he explained. "When I realized it was a terrorist hit, we jumped into action." Hodges describes crowds running away from the danger and chaos as the day unfolded. He was working to jump in to help when the second tower was struck. "From then on, it was pure asbestos, dust, soot," Hodges said. "You couldn't see, couldn't breathe. It was a terrible condition that morning on 9/11." (Photo: Paul Nevadomski/8News)(Photo: Paul Nevadomski/8News)(Photo: Paul Nevadomski/8News)(Photo: Paul Nevadomski/8News)(Photo: Paul Nevadomski/8News) Hodges was assigned to triage on Manhattan's West Side Highway but shifted to the Staten Island Landfill, where barges would bring in debris from Ground Zero to search for victims. He worked seven days a week, 14 hours a day looking for victims. "It was tough. We had therapy and counseling after that event. It was tough to sleep, seeing all the casualties." He said he often thinks of the first responders who went in to help and never came back. He encourages anyone struggling with the anniversary to get help. "Talk to someone else who's been through it and just talk it out. Don't keep it bottled up inside of you," Hodges said. "Therapy is good. Preserving your mental health is good. 9/11 is a day you never forget. I mean, you go down in history as one of the most traumatic days ever, and I think that it'll be a part of me 'til the day I die." ...read more read less