Patrolman Edward H. Wendland

Edward H. Wendland

Patrolman 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. On October 8, 1951, he received a conditional pardon and was released. His 20-year-old accomplice was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 15 years. He was paroled in 1946. On January 28, 1947, he was stopped while driving a car he stole by a New Haven Patrolman. It was soon discovered he had committed two burglaries. On April 14, 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.