Roll of Honor
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
BO-US-PA-D31BF3B8- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. 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 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer John Wesley 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Castle Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wesley Edwards's cause is highlighted.
How John Wesley Edwards Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wesley Edwards is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from New Castle Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
