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Incident
Police Officer Edward Fritz was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle on NW 119th Street, near 20th Avenue, that was fleeing a robbery. He was unaware that the occupants were wanted for a series of robberies in the area and was shot as he approached the vehicle. The three suspects were apprehended. Two of them were convicted and executed for the murder in 1956. Officer Fritz was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He had served with the Dade County Road Patrol for two years and had previously served with the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Edward is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Fritz gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Edward Emile Fritz Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Metro-Dade Police Department has lost 25 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 1 officer at Metro-Dade Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1976, with 3.
In 1953, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 24. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Metro-Dade Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.3 and 34; the middle age was 32. Edward had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 24. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Edward had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Edward was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.1% of these deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department; April holds the most, 28.6%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 56% of all 25 deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Metro-Dade Police Department has 25 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Edward Emile Fritz, Jr.
Feb 3, 1953
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Jerome R. Christman
Dec 3, 1960
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Earl Lee Johnson, Jr.
Feb 3, 1962
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Carlos S. Stuteville
Aug 22, 1964
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Paul G. Anderson, Jr.
May 7, 1967
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Johnny Edward Mitchell
Dec 31, 1971
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Harrison Crenshaw, Jr.
May 18, 1974
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Simmons Arrington
May 21, 1974
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Clark Hamilton Curlette
Apr 1, 1976
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Frank Kenneth D'Azevedo
Apr 1, 1976
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Thomas Allen Hodges, Jr.
Apr 1, 1976
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William Coleman Cook
May 16, 1979
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William Franklin Askew
Jul 24, 1979
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Edward Russell Young
Sep 23, 1981
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Cheryl W. Seiden
Jul 28, 1982
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Stephen Owen Corbett
May 28, 1983
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Robert L. Zore
Dec 25, 1983
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Richard Allen Boles
Nov 28, 1988
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David Henry Strzalkowski
Nov 28, 1988
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Jose Teodoro Gonzalez
Mar 28, 1989
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Joseph Preston Martin
Apr 27, 1990
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Thomas James Leis
Apr 29, 1990
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Evelyn Gort
Oct 30, 1993
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Robert Vargas
Feb 7, 1997
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Richard P. Wentlandt
Mar 15, 1997
Where
Military Service
Edward Emile Fritz Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Edward Emile Fritz Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
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