James M. Ward

Detective James Ward died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

Detective Ward was a United States Army veteran and had served with the New York City Police Department for 20 years.

James Milton Ward, known as Jimmy, was born and raised in New York City. He served in the United States Army from 1982 to 1985, earning the Good Conduct Medal, a Commendation Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, and left the service as a sergeant.

He joined the New York City Police Department on 15 July 1986 and was first assigned to the 44 Precinct. He went on to serve in the Organized Crime Control Bureau, the Narcotics Division, Narcotics Borough Bronx and the Organized Crime Investigation Division. He was promoted to detective third grade on 31 January 1992 and to detective second grade on 24 December 2001. His last command was the Strike Force, which handled high-level drug and gun cases, and he retired from it on 31 July 2006 after 20 years.

In retirement he moved with his family to Charlotte, North Carolina, and earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He belonged to the Charlotte 10-13 Club and the Oishi Judo Club in New York, where he held a black belt and taught martial arts. He followed the New York Giants and was a skilled gardener.

Detective Ward developed cancer from his work in the rescue and recovery effort after the World Trade Center attacks, and he died on 17 January 2022. His death was deemed in the line of duty. He was survived by his spouse of 26 years, three children, four sisters and three brothers. He was buried with military honors at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina.