Incident
Lieutenant Edward Steck was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect he caught trying to break into his next door neighbor's house. The suspect escaped. During the next four years many suspects were questioned and released. The most promising one was a man arrested in Key West, Florida, wanted in Buffalo on other charges. He was being held for Cuban authorities for the murder of a captain and engineer on a boat off the coast of Havana. He signed a confession stating he murdered Lieutenant Steck. U.S. officials told Buffalo officials he would be returned to Cuba because they needed more evidence than just a confession to hold him. Experience had taught our government that criminals wanted in the U.S. and Cuba would say anything to avoid Cuba because their prisons were much worse and they used their death penalty more freely and a lot more. Lieutenant Steck He had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 24 years and was assigned to Precinct 12.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Steck gave the Buffalo Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Steck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Buffalo Police Department has lost 51 officers; 22 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 1 officer at Buffalo Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1922, 14 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 56. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Buffalo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 37. Edward had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Edward was 56. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Edward had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Edward was 56. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 4.5% of these deaths at Buffalo Police Department; January holds the most, 22.7%. Mondays: 18.2%.
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.1% of all 51 deaths at Buffalo Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Buffalo Police Department has 51 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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George Dill Jan 10, 1865
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James M. Shepard Feb 2, 1887
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Albert A. Thurston
Jan 11, 1889
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Timothy J. Cantlin Jan 12, 1896
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Frederick Brown Jun 16, 1896
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William Dreyer Nov 2, 1896
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Patrick J. Cronin Aug 23, 1902
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Louis D. Wanner Apr 5, 1903
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Nicholas Bernard Smith
Sep 7, 1905
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George W. Thomas
Oct 10, 1909
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Simon J. Callinan Oct 25, 1909
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John R. Ogden Jul 25, 1911
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Charles E. Schaeffer
Sep 6, 1911
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George E. Claus
Nov 19, 1912
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William J. Clossey Jun 13, 1913
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John M. Dumke
Apr 20, 1919
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Fred J. Pauley
Jul 19, 1919
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Herman A. Radel
Jul 19, 1919
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Norman R. Hayes
Oct 20, 1919
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Dennis J. Harrington
Oct 2, 1920
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Winfield S. Willis
Aug 22, 1921
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Charles A. Schmitt
Nov 15, 1921
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Emil Woelffel Apr 15, 1922
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Edward Steck
May 22, 1922
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William T. Hunt Jan 17, 1924
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Harold Haltam Dec 23, 1928
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Carl L. Wunderlich
Feb 4, 1930
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John C. Germain Aug 9, 1930
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George T. Miller Dec 20, 1931
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Russell E. Greeley
Nov 20, 1932
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Joseph Striebich
Jan 21, 1934
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Sterling C. Forden Jun 23, 1934
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George L. Uhl Aug 31, 1934
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Edmond Lisiecki
Jan 26, 1936
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Anthony H. Brock
Jan 3, 1937
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Clayton W. Clark Feb 8, 1938
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Frank C. Wypijewski
Mar 20, 1938
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Louis Vastola
Oct 30, 1941
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Fred Ganter Dec 29, 1942
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Robert H. Good
May 11, 1949
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Thomas Dennis Sullivan Feb 22, 1954
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William F. Gleisle
Nov 27, 1967
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Robert J. Arnold
Jan 15, 1968
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Joseph L. O'Neil
Oct 7, 1970
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David John Scime Sep 5, 1974
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Carl O. Reese
Feb 1, 1977
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Charles E. McDougald
Apr 9, 1997
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Robert J. McLellan
Feb 25, 1998
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James A. Shields
Oct 30, 2002
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Patricia A. Parete
Feb 2, 2013
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Craig E. Lehner
Oct 13, 2017
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
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