Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Edwards was shot and killed while questioning several men who were attempting to sell weapons. Deputy Edwards was off duty and talking with a friend in front of the friend's business at 3421 West Broward Boulevard, in Fort Lauderdale, when a vehicle pulled in containing a 19-year-old man and three juveniles. The friend informed Deputy Edwards that the group had recently tried selling him guns. When the occupants of the vehicle asked Deputy Edwards if he wanted to buy a gun Deputy Edwards identified himself and said he wanted to talk to them. The 19-year-old man attempted to get back into the car and a struggle ensued. During the struggle one of the juveniles exited the vehicle and shot Deputy Edwards in the back several times, killing him. A private security guard who witnessed the shooting fired several shots at the car as it fled. The 19-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1983 his sentence was commuted to life. Deputy Edwards had served with the Broward County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-8EFCFA6C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Worth. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards gave the Broward County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Edwards.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Worth "Joe" Edwards is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Broward County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Worth "Joe" Edwards's cause is highlighted.
How Worth "Joe" Edwards Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Worth "Joe" Edwards is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Worth "Joe" Edwards was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from Broward County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
