February 25, 2021 – Jamaica, Queens; A memorial was held just after midnight for the late, Edward Byrne. The Byrne’s Family line always maintained a good relationship with policing, making Edward Byrne’s death in February 26, 1988, a significant moment in the NYPD’s history.
Byrne’s life was tragically cut short when he was shot after protecting a witness at their home in Jamaica, Queens. According to the NYPD, the witness and their family, had finally decided to defy and testify against drug dealers. Officer Byrne was then assigned to patrol at the corner of 107th Avenue and Inwood Street.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea recalls the moment in his speech, “Four armed men crept up on both sides of Officer Byrne’s RMP. Without uttering a word, they fired into the car, striking Officer Byrne in the head.”
The memorial was visited by many members of the NYPD department, old and new to commemorate Byrne’s life and career.
“Thirty-three years ago, we lost a true hero. Thirty-three years ago, we could argue, changed the course of history for this department, and absolutely for this city,” said Officer Tim Russo at the memorial.
The president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, Patrick Lynch, left with this to say about the memorial; “We’ll be on this street corner, every year. Even, when some of us are gone.”
