Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Sunday, July 16, 1961
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 773
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: July 16, 1961
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Edward Smerdel was accidentally shot and killed while cleaning his service revolver at a police substation.
Patrolman Smerdel had served with the Denver Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and one child.