Police Officer Edward O'Dwyer

Edward O'Dwyer

Police Officer Edward O'Dwyer succumbed to a stab wound sustained one week earlier while attempting to make an arrest stemming from an early disorderly conduct incident.

Officer O'Dwyer had attempted to arrest a 16-year-old boy for disorderly conduct when the boy's mother interfered and he was able to escape. He and other officers then went to the family's home near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Roberts Street to arrest him. When they entered the residence the boy's mother attacked another officer and attempted to take his mace. When Officer O'Dwyer went to the officer's assistance the boy's father stabbed him in the side.

Officer O'Dwyer was taken to his home where his condition worsened and he died one week later.

The boy's parents were both charged with Officer O'Dwyer's murder. On November 4, 1881, the boy's mother was acquitted of murder, and the father was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He died in the Riverside penitentiary hospital on March 4, 1887.

Police Officer O'Dwyer had served with the Pittsburgh Police Department for only three months.