Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was born in 1978, six years after the murder of Patrolmen Joseph Andrew Edwards. Up until several months ago, I had priorly never given Officer Edwards any thought whatsoever. I had no reason to ,as I never met him, knew nothing about him, and had no personal, emotion vestment in his nonetheless senseless murder. I had only been told twice, far in years apart, that Patrolmen Edwards, was the brother of a family member of mine, and as well that Patrolmen Edwards lost his life in the line of duty back in the 1970s. I didn't even remember I had even been told this until it came time for me to remember, which happened in the aforementioned months back The universe itself made me remember one simple short conversation, when the truth which is a great and ever present force, brought back to mind what I had been told, as in Officer Edwards being althe brother of a relative of mine.
This happened after I came to realize the true inward nature of character that certain unarmed individual indeed do indeed have. And this took the entire 45 years of my life to realize about them. Yet once I did, when the blinders came off and I saw them as they are, then that force of truth, blowing as the wind that carries record of the things which were, before I was born, as it shall after I no longer remain, did bring back a seed of memory. And only knowing that an officer who's name I did not know was killed in the line of duty before I was born, led me to finding out that that officer, Officer Edwards, had the same first, middle, and last name as his alleged brother, and as well had the same exact face of that man, whom I knew as Joseph Andrew Edwards, my Grandpa Andy, who died 20 years later in 1992. I can not carry the secrets of my family and whatever happened. As it is not my responsibility, and I will not have this on my conscious. So now let it be openly said, whether it be read, seen, unseen regardless. For the wind still blows, thus the wind still knows, so let it testify against those who know the truth of this mans death. For I have tried and I have aided and those who keep these records online know this. May you, and as well all those who be fallen find rest, and as well be honored in that life to come, that is, and was, and shall be again. Godspeed Patrolmen Edwards.

Christian Edwards
An Advocate for Patrolmen Edwards

October 25, 2024

Help me help you. I don't know what else to do. So the only thing I can think to do is ask you for your help.

Christian Edwards
Unknown soldier

September 21, 2024

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Andrew Edwards of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio, and the additional 81 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

August 28, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Andrew Edwards of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 80 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

August 28, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Andrew Edwards of he Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 81 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

August 28, 2022

Patrolman Edwards,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Columbus. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 28, 2022

Rest in peace Patrolman Edwards.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 26, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 28, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Andrew Edwards of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 73 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

August 28, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Andrew Edwards of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 72 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

August 28, 2018

Your family lived next to us in the old grey double on Lexington Ave in Columbus Ohio. I still have that picture of you in a white jacket and tie going to the Cotillion back in the sixty's. I remember your mom taking me and your brother Bobby to the drive-in theater in that white Chrysler convertible. I know you are hanging out with my Father(Jim ) Mother (aunt Cecilia ), brother Sonny and your sister in law Poopy. Give them my love

Steve Fields
old family friend

July 18, 2017

I thought of Andy last night during the Dallas shootings. I will never forget Andy. We were not only fellow officers, Andy and I went to Linden McKinley High school together. RIP, Andy

Sgt Tommy Cooper (Retired)
Former PO on the CPD

July 8, 2016

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 41rst anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 18, 2013

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 31, 2007

Andy, We continue to miss you, we speak of you often and remember you with love and affection. Johnnie, Ryan and Jody Edwards.

October 16, 2007

Andy, We continue to miss you, we speak of you often and remember you with love and affection. Johnnie, Ryan and Jody Edwards.

October 16, 2007

Rest In Peace

We continue the fight for you brother and you are not forgotten by your department we honor you daily by wearing the uniform proudly and remembering the fallen brothers and sisters that came before us

detective scott alexander
columbus division of police

July 22, 2007

On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City lodge #9 in Columbus, Ohio we are very sorry for the loss of your life while serving your community and our country! God bless your family!

President Jim Gilbert
Fraternal Order of Police,Capital City Lodge #9, Columbus, Ohio

July 9, 2007

Dear Officer Edwards,
I was a fifteen year old kid when you were so cold-bloodedly cut down. Before that tragic night, I had already made up my young mind that someday I wanted very much to be a Columbus Policeman. I remember watching policemen drive by my house...others would stop by my class and give public relations talks. I would listen to my Grandpa's police scanner late into the night. I would dream of showing up on those runs with the voices I heard at the other end.

In 1969 a masked robber rushed into my Grandfather's grocery store. I was 12 and scared out of my mind! The bad guy got away, but when several policemen bravely stormed through the front door, with shotguns and pistols at the ready, I thought to myself that there could be no more a noble calling.
Your passing followed on the heels of another hero's passing, Dale Staton. I followed very closely the news accounts of both of your tragic deaths. I would sit up late at night and listen to the police scanner, hoping and praying that someday I could make the grade, and fill the shoes of so many heroes, such as you. And, I'll never forget...at the time of your death, I had been hired as a roofers helper. On the day of your funeral I was working with a crew high up on someone's home. It gave me a great view over a large part of the city. All of a sudden I viewed several CPD helicopters flying the missing man formation off in the distance. It was a very somber, but touching sight.
Although we never met, I feel as if we've been friends for a long time. And I want to thank you for your bravery and courage back then...making a young teenager feel protected by heroes such as you.
Sleep well my friend.

Retired P.O. Dan Cockerham
Columbus Div. of Police

November 18, 2005

Andy and I were high school classmates who joined the CPD about the same time. Andy was a good friend and a great cop. Had he lived, I'm sure he would have been the Chief of CPD. I will never forget him.

My best to his family.

Sgt Tom Cooper
Sacramento Police Department

Sgt. Tom Cooper
Sacramento Police Department