2,996 Project

Mrs. M Remembers

Claude D. Richards, 46

Detective/Bomb Squad NYPD

World Trade Center

Claude D. Richards, better known as Dan (or Danny to his family), was a Detective for the NYPD, a brother of the Fraternal Order of Police, and also served in the U.S. Army where he was an Airborne Ranger and member of the Presidential Honor Guard. He was assigned to the Bomb Squad in 1991. He was promoted to Second Detective in 2000.

Dan was a graduate of New York University. He assisted efforts at the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. He volunteered for the International Police Task Force disarming land mines in Bosnia for a year. He was the Bomb Squad's Intelligence Coordinator.

Dan was said to be fearless, meticulous and disciplined. He spent off-duty hours working, planning, and working out. Dan's brother Jim said he "always wanted to charge up to the front just to prove himself."

Dan was a very giving, generous, and kind-hearted man. His devotion and work ethic didn't leave him time for relationships, but his brother says "He was so devoted to his work I don't think he had a problem with it.

Claude was a very special man and family member and greatly admired. His niece recalls many fond memories of visiting him while with her grandparents and also visiting him in New York when he opened her up to the arts. She recalls his thoughtfulness in getting the best seats and buying her a souvenir program. She says he was always "proud to be an American" and that she felt "NYC was lucky to have him as one of their own" when he joined the NYPD.

Dan was always deemed as a very friendly and charismatic man. His thoughtfulness and desire to help others are just some of his many great attributes. He was liked by everyone who met him and everyone who knew him. More than once I've seen that he has been called a Hero.

Detective Claude D. Richards was a wonderful man who left footprints upon the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to have known him.