Aland Etienne: Remembering a Security Guard Who Paid the Ultimate Price

This week, the world caught a rare glimpse into the life—and sacrifice—of a security officer. His name was Aland Etienne, a “dedicated security officer who took his job duties extremely seriously,” according to his family. Aland was killed during Monday’s mass shooting in New York City while performing the quiet, thankless work that so many in our industry do every day.

“My family suffered a heartbreaking tragedy,” said his brother, Gathmand Etienne, in an interview with CNN.

“He was more than a brother – he was a father, a son, and a light in our lives. Our hearts are shattered, and we’re asking for your prayers and strength as we navigate this painful time.”

Aland’s employer and his union, 32BJ SEIU, have called him a hero—a beloved lobby officer whose life reminds the world of the risks private security professionals face every single day.

“Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line,” said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU. “Their contributions to our city are essential, though often unappreciated. Aland Etienne is a New York hero. We will remember him as such.”

The Often-Forgotten First Responders

For those of us in the security industry, Aland’s story is heartbreakingly familiar. Security officers are often the first line of defence—the ones who see the danger before anyone else does. They are the first to respond, the first to protect, and sometimes, the first to pay the ultimate price.

And yet, while police, firefighters, and paramedics are rightfully celebrated as first responders, security guards rarely make the headlines. When tragedy strikes, the world often moves on quickly. The news cycle is filled with police briefings and expert panels, but the name of the security officer—the one who quietly held the door, guided people to safety, or stood between danger and the public—is too easily forgotten.

Aland Etienne is different only because, for a brief moment, the media paused to recognize his sacrifice. But there are thousands of “Alands” across the globe—from Toronto to London, Paris to Milan, and in every city in between—putting on their uniform, knowing they might face danger for wages that often don’t reflect the responsibility they bear.

Why We Must Remember

The reality is simple:

Many security guards earn less than a barista or busser, yet they choose this path because they care about public safety.

They are our neighbours, our friends, our family members, and they stand between ordinary life and the chaos that sometimes erupts.

They do this work without the recognition, the pension, or the ceremonial salutes that other first responders receive.

If we want to honour Aland Etienne’s memory, and the memory of others like him, it cannot just be with a fleeting news story or a temporary social media post. It requires a shift in how society sees security guards—not as placeholders or retirees, but as vital protectors in our communities.

As security professionals, we owe it to Aland and to ourselves to demand:

• Public recognition for security guards as true first responders.
• Support from municipalities and governments for safer workplaces and fair wages.
• A cultural shift where the quiet heroism of security work is acknowledged every day, not just after a tragedy.

Aland Etienne’s name should not fade from memory with the next news cycle. His story is our story—the story of an industry full of quiet professionals who, without fanfare, protect the world from a scarier reality.

Let’s make sure the world never forgets the Alands among us.