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John Wesley Edwards
Incident
Officer Edwards died approximately two months after being struck in the head with a brick on Mahoning Avenue. Officer Edwards was attempting to keep the peace at a union strike which turned violent. One of the strikers threw a brick which struck him in the head. He suffered from severe headaches which eventually caused paralysis and his death.
Officer Edwards was a U.S Army veteran of the Civil war and had served with the New Castle Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John 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 Edwards gave the New Castle Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Thank you 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
John Wesley Edwards served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Castle Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1919, 15 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 73. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 73. 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. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 73. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at New Castle Police Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
New Castle Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John Wesley Edwards served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Wesley Edwards’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from New Castle Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
