Joseph Andrew Edwards

Columbus Division of Police — Columbus, OH

Felonious

End of Watch August 28, 1972

Age 29

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 552

The Vigil Panel 110 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 58

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Edwards was shot and killed when he was ambushed while responding to a call for help. Patrolman Edwards and his partner were responding to a domestic violence call. When they arrived at the given address, on Franklin Park, southeast of Nelson Road, they realized it was a fake call. As the patrolmen were driving through the area, the suspect walked around the patrol car to the driver's side and shot Patrolman Edwards with a 12 gauge shotgun, causing Patrolman Edwards to lose control of the vehicle. The suspect was apprehended in Beaumont, Texas, on January 9, 1973. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On August 9, 1978, he was released from prison when evidence surfaced that showed the investigation was mishandled. The State of Ohio decided not to retry him. Patrolman Edwards had been with the Columbus Division of Police for two years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-0BB728B9
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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 Edwards gave the Columbus Division of Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Edwards.

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

Agency

Department Columbus Division of Police

Location Columbus, OH

Platform Identity cdpd.franklin.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 28, 1972

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 29

Badge Number 552

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge

Offender Released in 1978

Patrolman Joseph Andrew Edwards 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.

Columbus Division of Police

of 59 officers

61% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious