An East Harlem street was renamed today for a fallen cop tragically killed in a friendly fire incident two years ago.
NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly helped unveil Detective Omar J. Edwards Way on E. 123rd Street, the same block where the housing cop was killed on the second anniversary of the 2009 shooting.
Kelly told an assembled crowd of family and fellow officers about Edwards’ life-long love of the NYPD, and of the positive impact he tried to make on everyone, especially the young kids he collared.
“Even when making an arrest, he’d encourage young suspects to turn their lives around,” said Kelly. “Omar was a natural at connecting with the individuals he encountered.”
On the night of May 28, 2009, Officer Edwards was in street clothes when he chased a man who broke into his car. A plainclothes unit on patrol arrived to the scene and ordered Edwards, who was carrying his service weapon, to drop the gun.
Edwards turned to face the officers and was fired upon three times by Officer Andrew Dunton, killing the young father of two. Edwards was 25. He was posthumously promoted to detective first grade at his 2009 funeral.
“We lost a gifted Police Officer, full of promise,” said Kelly.
Edwards’ wife, Danielle Edwards, and two young sons Keanu and Xavier, were also on hand for the street renaming.