Detective Clarence E. Word III - New York City Police Dept. - NY - True Life Hero

Clarence E. Word III ("Clay")
- Oct. 01, 2024 -

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New York City Police Dept. Patch

Resided:	Apollo Beach FL, USA
Born:	Unk
Fallen:	Oct. 01, 2024
Race/Sex:	Black Male / 53 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	New York City Police Dept. - NY 1 Police Plaza New York, NY 10038 USA (646)610-5000
County:	New York
Dept. Type:	Municiple/Police
Hero's Rank:	Detective
Sworn Date:	Unk
FBI Class:	Homicide - Terrorism
Weapon Class:	Biological
Agency URL:	Click Here
Badge:	6411

Bio: Detective Word also later served with the Osceola County Sheriff�s Office (Florida).

Clarence E. Word III, known affectionately as Clay, was a beacon of unwavering strength and generosity, touching countless lives with his passion, selflessness, and courage. Born in the Bronx, New York, Clay's life journey concluded on October 1st, 2024, in Apollo Beach, Florida, after a valiant and courageous battle with an illness stemming from deployment with the NYPD, assisting with the rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 .

His indomitable spirit and infectious smile will be profoundly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Clay was a man who embraced life with fervor and determination. He was a graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School, where the foundations of his relentless work ethic and leadership traits were honed.

His career was a testament to his dedication to serving others, as he proudly wore the badge of the New York Police Department, rising to the rank of 2nd Grade Detective. His fight against 9/11 related cancer exemplified his resilience and became an inspiration to many. Clay's commitment to protecting and serving continued after moving to Florida, where he joined the Osceola County Sheriff�s Office as a Deputy and later served as a School Guardian in Manatee County. His career in law enforcement was more than a job; it was a calling that he answered every day with honor and distinction.

Beyond the uniform, Clay was a man of many passions. He lived for the thrill of scuba diving, the freedom of riding motorcycles, and the joy of traveling to new and exciting destinations. His athletic prowess was evident as he played basketball, football, softball, and handball with a competitive yet playful spirit. But perhaps what shone brightest was his role as a coach and a father, especially when he was catching for his daughter Cierra as she pitched her way through middle school, high school, and college. Clay's legacy in sports and life coaching resonates in the countless young lives he shaped with his guidance.

'In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity,' Albert Einstein once said, and Clay lived by these words, turning challenges into stepping stones and fostering hope in the hearts of everyone he met. He had the rare gift of making each person he interacted with feel important and valued, and he harnessed adversity to fuel his drive to make a positive impact in the world. Clay's life was one of purpose and impact�a story of a man who ran the race of life with passion, left no stone unturned, and no hand unheld. He was a towering figure of steadfast resolve, ever ready to lend a helping hand or share a word of encouragement. His legacy is not merely in the deeds he accomplished but in the lives he uplifted and the love he spread.

To have known Clarence E. 'Clay' Word III was to have known a piece of greatness. He moved through the world as a force of nature�unstoppable in his desire to improve the lives around him and unwavering in his commitment to justice and kindness. As we reflect on his life, let us carry forward the lessons he imparted and strive to live up to the example he set. May we continue to be inspired by his journey, as Clay�s story does not end here; it is carried in the hearts and actions of those he inspired. Let us honor Clay's memory by living with the same tenacity, love, and spirit of service that he shared so generously with us all.

Survived by:

Wife
daughter, son

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	No Info
Location:	NY USA
Summary:	Detective Clay Word 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. ==================================================================== On the morning of September 11th, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when terrorist hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. After the impact of the first plane into the World Trade Center's North Tower, putting the safety of others before their own, law enforcement officers along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety. Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved. As the evacuation continued, the South Tower unexpectedly collapsed as a result of the intense fire caused by the impact. The North Tower collapsed a short time later. Seventy-one law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site. A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer, who was a passenger on the plane, was killed in that crash. The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel. No law enforcement officers were killed at the Pentagon on 9/11. The terrorist attacks resulted in the declaration of war against the Taliban regime, the illegal rulers of Afghanistan, and the al Qaeda terrorist network which also was based in Afghanistan. On September 9th, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11th, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush. The contamination in the air at the World Trade Center site caused many rescue personnel to become extremely ill and eventually led to the death of several rescue workers. On May 1st, 2011 members of the United States military conducted a raid on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed Osama bin Laden.
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Last Updated: Mar. 07, 2025