New Haven Police Department, Connecticut
End of Watch: Saturday, May 21, 1938
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 21, 1938
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1951
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.