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 26 ReflectionsRest in eternal peace on this your 40 anniversary in heaven
Mark Mottola
March 15, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Stanley "Allen" Burdic
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, OR
EOW: March 11, 2021

Investigator Eddie B. Hutchison, III
Walker County Criminal District Attorney's Office, TX
EOW: February 10, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Carlos Antonio Hernandez
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 11, 2021

Police Officer David Parde
Lexington Police Department, NC
EOW: April 17, 2021

Border Patrol Agent Christopher Shane Simpkins
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: April 12, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Patrick Barnes
Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department, MS
EOW: April 10, 2021

Sergeant James K. Smith
Iowa State Patrol, IA
EOW: April 9, 2021

Police Officer Brent Nelson Hall
Newton Grove Police Department, NC
EOW: April 3, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Wilson Knight
Bibb County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 6, 2021