Broward County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Saturday, March 15, 1980
Add to My HeroesWorth "Joe" Edwards
Deputy Sheriff Joe Edwards was shot and killed while questioning several men who were attempting to sell weapons.
Deputy Edwards was off duty and talking with a friend in front of the friend's business at 3421 West Broward Boulevard, in Fort Lauderdale, when a vehicle pulled in containing a 19-year-old man and three juveniles. The friend informed Deputy Edwards that the group had recently tried selling him guns.
When the occupants of the vehicle asked Deputy Edwards if he wanted to buy a gun Deputy Edwards identified himself and said he wanted to talk to them. The 19-year-old man attempted to get back into the car and a struggle ensued. During the struggle one of the juveniles exited the vehicle and shot Deputy Edwards in the back several times, killing him.
A private security guard who witnessed the shooting fired several shots at the car as it fled.
The 19-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1983 his sentence was commuted to life.
Deputy Edwards had served with the Broward County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and six children.
Bio
- Age 49
- Tour 13 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 24 ReflectionsOfficer Joe Edwards,
Thank you for your service. May God continue to bless your family through future generations. May they no longer wear your grief but honor and cherish their memories they had with you each and every day. May Love abide in us all and I pray although they will never forget they have learned to heal. You are someone's Son, husband, father,brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, friend, fellow officer of the law and neighbor. May their love surround you in the heavens for eternity. Thank you for laying down your life to protect the people in broward county. Your life mattered and you will not be forgotten. We love you, may you rest in peace dear soul. God bless you now and forever.
Anonymous
September 23, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Officer David Kellywood
White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: February 17, 2020
Lieutenant Shirley Lanning
Canadian County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 14, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Donna Richardson-Below
DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: February 12, 2020
Police Officer Matthew S. von Seydewitz
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: January 27, 2020
Trooper Joseph Jon Bullock
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: February 5, 2020
Police Officer Nick O'Rear
Kimberly Police Department, AL
EOW: February 5, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten
Liberty County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 3, 2020
Police Officer Alan Daniel McCollum
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: January 31, 2020
Major Angelanette Moore
Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, VA
EOW: January 23, 2020