Jeff Derderian
Welcome to the online showcase of Jeff Derderian, an investigative reporter with a dynamic career that has significantly influenced the field of journalism. This platform highlights Jeff Derderian’s unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth and his expertise in investigative reporting. It showcases his journey through key achievements, including breaking pivotal stories and holding institutions accountable. Jeff Derderian is deeply committed to the principles of investigative journalism and takes pride in his dedication to exposing injustice, informing the public, and inspiring future journalists.
The Day Jeff Derderian’s Pager Read 9-1-1
It began like so many others have described—a beautiful day. The sun was shining, with barely a cloud in the sky, one of those perfect mid-September mornings that offered one last taste of summer just before fall arrived. Jeff Derderian was working the night shift at WHDH TV in Boston at the time, a powerhouse station renowned for its breaking news coverage. The media landscape in Boston was fiercely competitive, and the team was always prepared for anything.
That morning, Jeffrey Derderian was with his twin boys, who were almost four years old, their birthdays just days away on September 18. But on that particular day, it was September 11, 2001—a date that would be forever etched in the world’s memory. It was a day when countless lives were changed when unimaginable horror revealed the best in the human spirit. The three of them were at Barney’s Bagels on Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston, a place that a pizza shop has since replaced. They had their usual table, enjoying cinnamon toast, crunch bagels with walnut cream cheese, apple juice for the boys, and a large coffee for Jeff Derderian. It was a simple, joyful routine, like any other day.
Then his pager went off.
Pagers were still widely used in the news business, even though cell phones were becoming more common. A pager was often the fastest way to reach someone in an emergency. Jeff’s pager wouldn’t stop beeping that morning—message after message. In the news world, a 9-1-1 page from the assignment desk meant something big was happening, something urgent that demanded immediate attention. Little did he know how significant those three numbers—9-1-1—would become that day.
Jeff Derderian stepped outside the bagel shop and called the newsroom, keeping his boys in full view through the big front window. The voice on the other end said, “There’s been some kind of plane crash in New York. We need you to go now.” His bag was always packed and ready; WHDH was the breaking news station. The plan was to meet a photographer somewhere in Connecticut, but time was of the essence. Jeff Derderian hurried his boys back home, just a mile away, with half-finished apple juice boxes in hand. As soon as they arrived, he turned on the TV. The sight was beyond comprehension—a plane, smoke, chaos. The beautiful morning had transformed into a scene of utter devastation.
Jeff Derderian called his wife, telling her she needed to come home immediately. He had to leave for New York. She rushed back from her job at the hospital, and Jeff grabbed his bag and left. He met the photographer at a random exit on I-95, and together, they headed toward the city, the car radio tuned to WCBS-880 for updates. As they neared the city limits, they were stopped by a police officer. “You can’t go any further,” the officer said, but after Jeffrey Derderian explained who they were and why they were there, the officer somehow let them through.
What greeted them at Ground Zero defied description. The devastation was overwhelming.
First responders were everywhere, tirelessly working to save lives, covered in dust, some in suits, others in uniforms. The streets were filled with people, some running, some walking, all covered in the gray ash that blanketed everything. Jeffrey Derderian’s total stay in New York stretched on for nearly three and a half weeks. More members of the WHDH news team arrived as they reported not only on the terror but also on the remarkable ways people came together. Strangers helping strangers, unity in the face of catastrophe—it was unlike anything Jeff had ever witnessed.
One of the hardest parts, though, were the families. They would come to the satellite truck with pictures of their loved ones, begging with tear-filled eyes, asking if their photos could be shown on TV in the hope that someone, somewhere, would recognize them. At first, Jeff explained as gently as possible that WHDH was a Boston station, and their coverage wasn’t airing in New York. But it quickly became clear that these families, desperate for any hope, weren’t asking for logic. They were pleading for a miracle.
So, after a few encounters, Jeffrey Derderian stopped explaining. Instead, they took the photos and filmed the stories. You could see a flicker of hope in the eyes of the families when Jeff said they’d try to help. They weren’t asking for much—just a sliver of a chance, anything that might lead them to their loved ones. It was heartbreaking, and Jeff didn’t know how many of those families ever found the answers they so desperately sought.
Covering 9/11 is something that never leaves you. The world moved from pagers to cell phones, changing in countless ways. But even now, 23 years later, Jeff Derderian can still vividly see those numbers—9-1-1—on his pager.
Three numbers that altered the course of history and changed us all forever.
Thank you for exploring the online portfolio of Jeff Derderian, a distinguished investigative reporter with a career that spans multiple facets of journalism. Jeff’s journey showcases his expertise in uncovering impactful stories, holding power accountable, and driving meaningful change through investigative reporting. Beyond his success in breaking major news, Jeff Derderian is deeply committed to informing the public and empowering future journalists. As a mentor, advocate, and dedicated supporter of journalistic integrity, he leverages his extensive experience to guide the next generation of reporters and foster truth in media. Jeffrey Derderian’s approach blends his professional skills with a genuine passion for uncovering the truth and making a lasting impact on journalism.