Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, October 26, 1961
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 26, 1961
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Trooper Edwin Gasque was shot and killed when he was ambushed while he and his police dog tracked two fugitives in Jacksonville. The suspects were wanted for abducting and shooting at a Duval County sheriff's deputy.
Both suspects were captured one week later near Dawson, Georgia. Both were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 18, 1962. One died in prison on July 14, 1987, and the second died in prison on June 20, 2012.
Trooper Gasque was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.