Edward H. Wendland

New Haven Police Dept. — New Haven, CT

Felonious

End of Watch May 21, 1938

Age 44

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 22

Incident

Patrolman Edward Wendland was shot and killed while transporting two prisoners to jail. The suspects had just been arrested for robbing a cemetery caretaker's office. Both were arrested and charged with murder. The 23-year-old shooter was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On October 8th, 1951, he received a conditional pardon and was released. His 20-year-old accomplice was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was paroled in 1946. On January 28th, 1947, he was stopped by a New Haven police officer while driving a stolen car. It was soon discovered he had committed two burglaries. On April 14th, 1947, he escaped from the New Haven Jail. Three weeks later he was captured in Reno, Nevada. He was returned to New Haven, convicted of his crimes and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wendland served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wendland.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New Haven Police Dept.

Location New Haven, CT

Platform Identity newhpd.southcentral.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 21, 1938

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Pardoned in 1951

Patrolman Edward H. Wendland is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Haven Police Dept., 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.

New Haven Police Dept.

of 23 officers

43.5% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious