Following the impact of the first plane into the World Trade Center’s North Tower, the law enforcement and first responder community rushed personnel to the scene to aid with rescue and recovery. Years later, illnesses linked to exposure to toxic materials following the terror attacks has led to nearly 300 additional deaths from 9/11-related illnesses. U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) Charles (Chuck) L. Friend is among those who died as a result of that exposure.
Following the attacks, SAIC Friend immediately responded to a request for U.S. Secret Service personnel to travel to New York City to assist. For three and a half days he worked at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, sifting through the debris recovered from Ground Zero, hoping to find remains, objects related to the attacks, or materials from the New York Field Office.
In February of 2016, Chuck was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and given just six months to live. Through his determination, strength, faith and courage he survived another two and a half years, passing away October 23, 2018, at the age of 58.
SAIC Friend began his career with the Secret Service in 1983 with his assignment to the Washington Field Office. Additional duty stations included the Counter Assault Team, Vice Presidential Protective Division, the Philadelphia Field Office and the Richmond Field Office. During his assignment in Richmond, Special Agent Friend volunteered to be a part of the Secret Service team that responded to Oklahoma City in the aftermath of the April 19, 1995, bombing that resulted in the death of 168 individuals, including six Secret Service personnel.
He retired in May of 2005 as the special agent in charge of the Office of Protective Research, managing and coordinating the Secret Service’s intelligence efforts.
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