Akron Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Thursday, January 10, 1918
Add to My HeroesEdward J. Costigan
Officer Edward Costigan and Officer Joseph Hunt were the second and third of four Akron Policemen to be shot and killed by members of an Italian gang in retaliation for the Akron Police Department's crackdown on their gambling dens and brothels.
They were both shot several times in the back as they walked their beat in front of the Union Fireproof Warehouse Company at 27 North High Street. Officer Costigan died at the scene, and Officer Hunt succumbed to his wounds two days later. The gang was responsible for the deaths of Officer Guy Norris, shot and killed December 24, 1917, and Officer Gothin H. Richards, shot and killed March 12, 1918.
The Akron Police Department was baffled by the murders, not realizing the gang's involvement until an anonymous phone caller implicated one of the gang members who was arrested in New York. The suspect implicated five other gang members who were arrested and charged with murder.
Four of the suspects were executed in Ohio's electric chair, one on October 14, 1918, two on February 21, 1919, and one on July 24, 1919. The other two suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One was released in 1934 and deported to Italy. The other suspect was denied parole in 1964.
Officer Costigan had served with the Akron Police Department for just under 4 years. He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and five sisters.
Bio
- Age 39
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 17
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Four executed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsRest in peace buddy
Carson loveless
March 26, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024