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Patrolman

Edward H. Wendland

New Haven Police Department — New Haven, CT
Felonious
United States flag Connecticut flag
End of Watch May 21, 1938
Age 44
The Vigil Panel 74 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 22

Incident

Patrolman Edward Wendland was shot and killed while transporting two prisoners to jail. The suspects had just been arrested for robbing a cemetery caretaker's office. Both were arrested and charged with murder. The 23-year-old shooter was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On October 8th, 1951, he received a conditional pardon and was released. His 20-year-old accomplice was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was paroled in 1946. On January 28th, 1947, he was stopped by a New Haven police officer while driving a stolen car. It was soon discovered he had committed two burglaries. On April 14th, 1947, he escaped from the New Haven Jail. Three weeks later he was captured in Reno, Nevada. He was returned to New Haven, convicted of his crimes and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wendland served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wendland.

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

Agency

Department New Haven Police Department
Type Other
Location New Haven, South Central Connecticut Planning Region, CT
Platform Identity newhpd.southcentral.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 21, 1938
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 44. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New Haven Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Edward H. Wendland

New Haven Police Department · End of Watch May 21, 1938

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E

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