Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On the anniversary of 9/11, I thank you and your comrades for your selfless duty and courage that momentous day. Your sacrifice and those of the victims and other first responders will forever be honored in the annals of brave men and women who gave their all for their city, state and for the United States of America. Never Forget.

James Lopey, Assistant Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno, Nevada)
Nevada DPS

September 11, 2023

Your memory is a Blessing to all that knew you. ktf gary

Gary H. Vaughan
Friend

September 11, 2023

In Honor And Respect, Your Service And Sacrifice Will Never Be Forgotten...

Gail Mercado

September 11, 2021

It's been twenty years to the day that you made the ultimate selfless sacrifice for the people of your city but the memory of the man you were lives on. Miss you buddy, ktf

Lt. Gary H. Vaughan
Hot Springs Village Police Department

September 11, 2021

Det. Richards,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City and our Country-and not just when you served with the NYPD but also when you served with the U.S. Army as well. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 11, 2021

I never knew Dan personally but I’ve gotten the chance to interview & befriend so many of the men who worked with him in the Bomb Squad & boy do I wish I knew him. Each man I’ve spoken to about Dan described him the same: a hard worker who genuinely cared about others & was both meticulous & passionate about his work.

Dan was off-duty that fateful morning & as the intelligence coordinator for the unit (a role he’d only assumed 11 months prior in October of 2000), he could’ve easily coordinated the Bomb Squad’s response from the office. But like a true hero, he rushed down the West Side Highway to the Trade Center to help. He never came home.

To Danny’s family, if you ever see this just know it has been an absolute honor learning about him & his incredible life. Detective Claude Richards truly died as he lived: saving lives & making a difference in a city he clearly loved so much.

Mike Colon
NYC Media Reporter

August 8, 2021

Claude: Another bomb guy--a special breed. Thanks for your service to the great city of NY and to this great nation. Your Army service is also greatly appreciated. You and the rest of the fire and police first responders were rushing in to the WTC to save lives, while others were evacuating. thanks for your dedication and sacrifice on this day of the anniversary. Your brother officers are forever grateful for what you and other did that day.

Jim Lopey, Asst. Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff (Reno, Nv) and current NVDPS

September 11, 2020

I cannot say enough or offer enough tears or emotions for the numerous, numerous amazing men and women who gave so selflessly and heroically that day and for still many, the numerous days that followed over the numerous years to come. On this 19th anniversary of one of the deadliest days for American law enforcement I'd like to say to you all thank you, God Bless you and rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 11, 2020

Rest in peace Detective Richards.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 2, 2020

What a heroic man. I pray that he is in heaven reaping the rewards the Lord has destined for him. And for his friends and family, may the Lord comfort you in your grief and may his memory live in your hearts forever. We need more people on this planet like Claude.

Juan Espinoza
Fellow human being

November 22, 2019

I first met Danny in the Police Academy back in 1983 , we were both assigned to the 6th precinct ,he was a good friend and a man who was loved by all . He was a selfless individual who enjoyed life . I miss him and think of him often . RIP Danny Richards .

Sgt. Gary VanNostrant (ret)
NYPD

November 14, 2019

You truly went to the front like a solid man. Miss you bud. ktf

Gary H Vaughan
Dan's Buddy

September 11, 2019

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1
Miss you buddy, ktf,

Gary H Vaughan
HSVPD

September 11, 2017

My Brother in blue....Rest in Peace.

N.Y.PD. Lt.(Ret.) Ray Flores

September 11, 2016

Det. Richards,
On today, the 15th anniversary of your death you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City and our Country as well as Police Officer and U.S. Army Ranger. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Rangers Lead The Way!

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 11, 2016

May God rest your soul, thank you for your service.

Peter Kennedy

October 25, 2015

These days a lot of people like to call themselves sheepdogs, you were the epitome of what a sheepdog stands for. It was a privilege to have served with you and I am even prouder to call you my friend. Rest in peace buddy, ktf, gary

Lt. G.H. Vaughan
HSVPD/ Dan's Buddy

September 11, 2015

rest in peace danny.

PO Brad Barber
NYPD

September 12, 2014

You are truly a hero and missed greatly. We never know how short life can be. I wish I had more time with you because you are a man of great accomplishments and valor. Thanks for being such a role model of heroism for so many. You are being remembered by my son and his classmates and so many others that never even met you - I'm so proud to be your cousin. Until we meet again, Cousin Mike Richards, Lisa and Brandon

Mike Richards
Cousin

September 11, 2014

Your loss and that of so many more remind us daily that evil walks among us. I am comforted by Isaiah 48:22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Miss you bud, ktf

Lt. Gary H. Vaughan
HSVPD

September 11, 2014

Dan Richards was a US Army Veteran who served his country as an Airborne Ranger prior to joining the Police Department. I met Dan on our first day of the Police Academy almost 19 years ago. Because of our military service, we were selected to be company sergeants in the same company, Company 83-27. Dan excelled in academics and leadership, but he really distinguished himself in the academy gym as a skilled boxer. In boxing class 300 recruits would pair off to box for three rounds. It was encouraged that we be aggressive, but there was one company sergeant who was very aggressive. I think he was about six foot two and maybe 250 pounds of muscled meanness, and it was his goal to beat the hell out of every other company sergeant in gym class. One day he raced across the gym floor and placed himself in front of me. I braced myself for the beating that was sure to follow when I felt a tap on my shoulder it was Danny. He asked to switch places with me...I said OK. When the other sergeant turned to face me, he found Dan and became enraged. The entire gym class stopped and watched while Dan in perfect boxing form set this mountain of a bully up with two left jabs followed by a right that laid him on the floor. The gym class erupted in applause and you could see the relief on all the other company sergeant's faces. Dan, being a modest man, would never tell that story, but I would because it is the story of a hero.

If I had to define Dan, it would be that he was a man who knew the difference between right and wrong, and what was difficult and easy, and he would never let difficulty stand in the way of doing what was right. He was a man of great integrity. Dan, once in the Police Department, wanted to work with the 'finest of the finest' and soon found himself in the Bomb Squad, where he carried his membership with honor and pride. A year later I joined Dan at the Bomb Squad where I had the good fortune to work with him for the past 14 years. As a member of the Bomb Squad, Dan quickly distinguished himself as an expert bomb technician and outstanding detective. During his time in the Bomb Squad Dan handled hundreds of dangerous situations risking his own safety in order to protect the public.

Dan was a humanitarian, who served as a member of the United Nations' International Police Task Force in Bosnia. He was a generous man who helped many families over there with gifts of food and clothing. The experiences of that assignment helped prepare him for the very demanding job as intelligence coordinator for the Bomb Squad. As intelligence coordinator, Danny was the problem solver for the unit; if you went to him with a problem he would treat it as if it was his most important task of the day.

Dan died on the morning of September 11th. He responded with other members of the Bomb Squad to help in the rescue operations around the remaining North Tower of the World Trade Center. He directed people off the plaza under indescribable conditions, and when that was completed he joined with other police officers to sweep through Building #6 in a search for remaining victims. Danny was carrying a backboard to help remove downed victims when the North Tower collapsed onto Building #6. It was there that he and two other officers, Police Officer John D'Allara and Sergeant Mike Curtin disappeared. To the surviving members of the Bomb Squad, and all his friends and family, Dan's spirit will always be with us. The lessons we've learned from his unselfish acts are etched deeply in our hearts. Dan's untimely death has taught us the true meaning of courage, compassion and commitment, and his memory strengthens our resolve to go forward.

Detective Dan McNally
NYPD Bomb Squad (retired)

April 25, 2014

I wear you everyday on my memorial bracelet of you.

Officer Cheshire
Dublin Police Department

September 10, 2013

You as always are remembered

Pat
civilian

September 11, 2012

Dan
After reading your reflections I thought this was appropriate,
"For none of us liveth to himself: and no man dieth to himself." Romans 14:7
Your memory lives in all of us that knew you. ktf, gary

Sgt. G.H. Vaughan
HSVPD, AR

September 11, 2012

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 6, 2012