Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Lauretha Vaird was shot and killed while responding to a bank robbery in the 4700 block of Rising Sun Avenue. She was the first officer to arrive at the scene and was shot as she entered the bank. Two suspects were arrested a short time later. A third suspect was arrested several days later during a traffic stop in Maryland. On November 1st, 1996, the subject who shot Officer Vaird was sentenced to death. Officer Vaird had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the 25th District.
Survivors
She is survived by her two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-DFC69237- 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.
Police Officer Vaird gave the Philadelphia Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vaird.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Lauretha Arnetha Vaird 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 Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lauretha Arnetha Vaird's cause is highlighted.
How Lauretha Arnetha Vaird Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lauretha Arnetha Vaird is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lauretha Arnetha Vaird was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
