New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 14, 1941
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 8953
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 14, 1941
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1942
Patrolman Edward Maher was shot and killed during a foot chase of two murder suspects.
Patrolman Maher was on his traffic post at the corner of Madison Avenue and 34th Street when he was alerted that a robbery and murder had just taken place. Two men robbed and murdered an office manager in a nearby busniess and were attempting to flee. Patrolman Maher spotted the suspects and began to chase them. During the foot chase, shots were exchanged, and Patrolman Maher shot one of the suspects in the leg. When he went to check on the wounded suspect and taken him into custody, the suspect shot Patrolman Maher several times, killing him.
Both suspects were apprehended and convicted of murder. They were both executed on March 12, 1942.
Patrolman Maher was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions.
Patrolman Maher was assigned to Traffic Precinct C. His son survived him.