Patrolman Edward O'Dwyer

Edward O'Dwyer

Patrolman Edward O'Dwyer succumbed to a stab wound sustained one week earlier while attempting to make an arrest stemming from an early disorderly conduct incident.

Patrolman O'Dwyer had attempted to arrest a 16-year-old boy for disorderly conduct when the boy's mother interfered and he was able to escape. He and another Patrolman then went to the family's home near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Roberts Street to arrest him. The Patrolman while en route to the family home, encountered a crowd at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Ledlie Street. The boy's mother recognized Patrolman O`Dwyer and pointed him out to her husband as the officer who tried to arrest their son earlier that evening. Both parents started to threaten Patrolman O'Dwyer when the father attacked Patrolman O'Dwyer and stabbed him in the side. As Patrolman O'Dwyer partner went to his assistance, the boy's mother attempted to take his mace preventing him from knocking the knife out of her husband's hand. Patrolman O'Dwyer and his partner went to safety near the corner of Bedford Street and Devilliers Street to tend to his wound and then transported him to the Eleventh Ward Police Station. Patrolman O'Dwyer was then taken to his home on Liberty Street where his condition worsened, and he died one week later.

Patrolman O'Dwyer identified the boy's father on his deathbed and made a statement that he thought the boy's father was attempting to strike him with a brick when he rushed the boy's father. The pain he felt immediately after he thought he was struck with the brick, and never saw a knife.

The boy's father fled the scene to his brother's home on Anderson Street in Allegheny City, where he was arrested two days later. The boy's parents were both charged with Patrolman O'Dwyer's murder. On November 4, 1881, the boy's mother was acquitted of murder, and the father was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He died in the Riverside penitentiary hospital on March 4, 1887.

Patrolman O'Dwyer had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for only three months. He was survived by his father and siblings.

Patrolman O'Dwyer is buried in a unmarked grave in Saint Mary`s Cemetery in Lawrenceville.