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"John would run into a burning building to help others," said New York LP activist Christopher B. Garvey.
Three weeks after his death, a "Celebration of Life" service was held for Perry in New York City, and attracted about 100 people.
"Libertarians and Greens, Republican and Democrat district leaders, police officers and civil libertarians, dyed-in-the-wool conservatives and brown-rice leftists, all came together in loving memory of this man," said Tarnoff.
"People spoke of his dedication as a police officer, his constant challenges to his friends to think philosophically, his involvement with political causes, his dedication to the ACLU, his admonitions to question authority, and his willingness to help friends. Everyone who attended was stunned at the diversity of the circles in which he interacted, and the successful competence he brought to each."
Perry, who worked in the 40th precinct in the Bronx, had joined the Libertarian Party in June.
A frequent participant at Libertarian functions for more than 10 years, Perry also had a law degree, was a member of the Nassau County Civil Liberties Union, was active in the Police Brutality Commission, and had volunteered for Norman Siegel's campaign for Public Advocate.
He also had a wide range of interests: He spoke two foreign languages (French and Spanish), enjoyed long-distance swimming and running, and appeared as an extra in the movies Die Hard 3 and Deconstructing Harry. He had also hoped to become a relief worker in Bosnia, but the plan fell through.
Libertarians who met Perry had only words of praise for him.
"He had a combination of intelligence, manner, style, courage, and compassion that is rarely equaled," said Tarnoff. "His departure is a great loss to the libertarian movement and to all of mankind. We are diminished by that loss beyond what we could ever hope to know."
LP National Director Steve Dasbach expressed sorrow about Perry's death -- and admiration for the man.
"Libertarians all across the country were shocked and saddened by the loss of life caused by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC," he said. "Our sorrow is only compounded by the news that one of our own is among the dead.
"Of course, when we heard that John was missing, we all wished for a miracle, and hoped that he would emerge unharmed. But since that miracle does not seem to have happened, we will remember him as a genuine Libertarian hero -- who risked his life to try to save the lives of his fellow New Yorkers."
Perry's tragic story was mentioned on the television special, "America: A Tribute to Heroes," which aired on all the major networks on September 21.
Near the beginning of the two-hour telethon, which attracted 89 million viewers and raised more than $150 million for the survivors of the terrorist attacks, actor George Clooney cited Perry as one of the "heroes" who gave his life to save others.