Nominations for The Post's second annual Liberty Medal Awards are pouring in, with New Yorkers looking to honor the unsung heroes of the city.

Today, we introduce a few of the nominees who have already made New York a better place through their selfless actions and unflagging dedication.

New York City Police Officer Tirzah Gonzalez spent about nine months digging through a landfill for body parts after the World Trade Center attacks. But as tough and grim as her duty was, this Queens woman never once thought of quitting.

Gonzalez, 27, has been a housing cop at PSA-5 in East Harlem for three years and describes herself as "focused" and "strong minded" when it comes to doing her job.

"I was made to do this work," Gonzalez said. "I've wanted to be a cop since I was 12 years old."

Gonzalez was in high school when she was pregnant with her son, Kenny. Wanting to set a good example for him, she registered at John Jay School of Criminal Justice and graduated with a criminal-science degree. After attending the Police Academy for eight months, she knew police work was her calling.

Gonzalez had been a cop only a few months when she lost her cousin David Torado, who had been delivering a computer to the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Instead of taking time off to be with family, she worked with her unit, digging through a Staten Island landfill in search of human remains and IDs of the WTC victims. She prayed she'd find some link to her cousin.

"I didn't know how I would react, but I accepted my assignment and stayed on without a word," said Gonzalez, who was nominated for the New York's Finest Medal Liberty Award by her uncle Michael Labriola.

Then, on her first shift back on the street after the cleanup, her police car was smashed by a speeding van. She was injured but stayed out only a few days.

"Every day is different," said Gonzalez, who plans on taking the sergeant's exam next year. "I never know what to expect, and sometimes it can get scary. But that just makes me want to do this more."