Sorry, Sen. Bill Nelson: No Decision Yet for 9/11 Hero Jose Melendez-Perez

Jose Melendez-Perez, one of the most celebrated heroes of 9/11, appealed the disciplinary action against him Tuesday, but the Department of Homeland Security hearing officer didn't render a decision, nor did he announce when one would be available.

"I don't look forward to passing this information on to the senator," one of the staffers in Sen. Bill Nelson's Washington office told Sunshine State News. "Sen. Nelson was hoping to see Mr. Melendez-Perez's return to his job expedited."

Melendez-Perez was the immigration officer who detained the 20th terrorist hijacker at the airport in Orlando in August 2001. Had his instincts and training not been at work that day, there might have been enough terrorists aboard United FL 93 on 9/11 to complete their mission of crashing the plane into the White House or the Capitol.

The officer won national acclaim.

But last April, against policy, Melendez-Perez drove a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol van home with his gun and office computer inside. The van was broken into and the items stolen. In spite of an otherwise blemish-free record, Melendez-Perez was demoted and suspended. He appealed the action.

Sen. Nelson and the officer's friends, co-workers and many Americans who still remember the importance of his heroics have jumped to his defense.