Prev
Incident
Special Agent in Charge Chuck Friend died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the Fresh Kills site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Agent Friend had served with the United States Department of Homeland Security - United States Secret Service for 24 years.
September 11, 2001 - The Years After
Special Agent in Charge Charles Lundsford Friend was assigned to the search and recovery at the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. He was 41 years old that fall.
He died on October 23, 2018 - 17 years and 1 month later - of an illness contracted there. He was 58.
He is one of 599 officers honored here.
The most recent of these deaths was October 24, 2025.
Officers who worked the search, rescue, and recovery at the World Trade Center site breathed contaminated air for weeks and months afterward. Many developed cancers and respiratory disease, and they have gone on dying of it ever since.
Seventy-two officers were killed on the morning itself. Hundreds more have died in the years that followed. They are honored here together, because the same attack killed them all. With some it simply took longer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-PQHK-CTNX-Vearlier record number BO-US-FED-433F8900- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 26, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Charles is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You walked into it and it took years to finish the job.
Special Agent in Charge Friend gave the United States Department of Homeland Security 24 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent in Charge Friend.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
United States Department of Homeland Security - United States Secret Service has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Charles is one of 137 officers lost to illness in DC, 9.7% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Charles is one of 2,026 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Charles is one of 2,978 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 7 officers in DC were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 25 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 45.
In 2018, 56 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2018, 57 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Charles was 58. Of the 136 lost to illness in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 56.3; the middle age was 51. Charles had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Charles was 58. Of the 1,994 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Charles had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Charles was 58. Of the 2,915 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Charles had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 13.9% of these deaths in DC, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 9.5%.
October holds 15% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at United States Department of Homeland Security - United States Secret Service, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 50% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 9.7% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 29.5% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 20.1% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Homeland Security - United States Secret Service has 5 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from United States Department of Homeland Security - United States Secret Service are honored on badge.nw.
