Police Officer Wallie Howard Jr.
Syracuse Police Department
New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 30, 1990

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 415

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, October 30, 1990
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Officer Wallie Howard was shot and killed during an undercover drug investigation.

Officer Howard was working with the Central New York DEA Task Force. At about 2:30 p.m. on October 30th, 1990 he was preparing to purchase a large amount of cocaine for $42,000 in cash. Officer Howard was alone and seated in the front passenger seat of a car in a supermarket parking lot when the two suspects approached. One, Gary Stewart, was armed with a .22 caliber handgun. He climbed into the driver’s seat of Officer Howard's car while 15 year old Robert (Bam Bam) Lawrence walked to the passenger side window. Lawrence carried a .357 revolver. Stewart pulled his gun. As he did so, Officer Howard reached for his own firearm. Lawrence, standing outside the car, fired once, striking Officer Howard in the head at point-blank range. In the seconds before he was shot Officer Howard was able to fire his weapon twice, striking and wounding Stewart. Both suspects attempted to flee the scene but were immediately apprehended by back-up officers. Officer Howard died at 8:15pm that evening without regaining consciousness.

Stewart and Lawrence were convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Officer Howard had served for nine years with the agency. He is survived by his mother, fiancée, and two children.