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Incident
Deputy Ward succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile crash the previous night.
The driver of a vehicle ran a stop sign at the intersection of Route 243 and Buffalo Street and struck Deputy Ward's patrol car.
Deputy Ward had served with the Allegany County Sheriff's Department for six years and also served as a part-time officer for the Angelica Police Department. He is survived by his expectant wife and 3-year-old daughter. His son was born in December 2004.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife and 3-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtp9nx40zh6v2g90cba1t- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ward gave the Allegany County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Belmont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Derek is the only officer of Allegany County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Derek is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Derek is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Derek is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 4 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Derek was 28. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Derek had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Derek was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Derek had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Derek was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Derek had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 12.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Allegany County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Allegany County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.