Patrolman Edward J Howard

Date of Birth: May 5th, 1904

End of watch: January 10th, 1949

Officer Edward Howard was appointed to the Troy Police

Department on November 27th, 1937. He was a former
director of the PBA and worked primarily as a beat cop
for post 14, which covered Broadway in the downtown. It
was considered by many officers to be the most difficult
assignment, however Officer Howard worked this post, at
his request, for many years. In 1945, a department wide
competitive exam was given to all members following a
special police school. Officer Howard was noted for
ranking number two on the exam.
On the day of January 10th, 1949, Officer Howard was
assigned to a radio patrol car with his partner, Officer
Edmund Dalton. They were dispatched to Troy public
School 16, located on Collins Avenue for a reported box
fire alarm. When they arrived they found a large fire
inside of the school and helped evacuate the children.
Once completed, Officer Howard and many
other policemen began to remove school
desks and other furniture from the burning
building so as not to get damaged. Officer
Howard continued on to assist the fire
department in stretching hose lines inside
the building to fight the fire. At around 4
p.m. Officer Howard and Dalton were
relieved from the scene. As Officer Howard was walking
back to his patrol car, he suffered a heart attack and subsequently
collapsed. He was taken to Troy Hospital by the police ambulance and
pronounced dead on arrival.
He resided at 142 President Street with his wife, son and daughter. The
night before his funeral, the members of the Troy Police Department, as
well as surrounding police agencies gathered at the intersection of Bond and
River Streets and marched in a solemn procession to the officers home to
pay tribute to him and his family. He was buried the next day in St. Peters
cemetery following a Mass at St. Patricks Church.

Taken from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C.
-Courtesy of Ptl Brian Strock