NYPD holds Queens vigil for slain rookie cop Edward Byrne, ambushed in 1988

A midnight ceremony to honor Edward Byrne happened on the nook of 107th Ave. and Inwood St., steps away from the place he was fatally shot on Feb. 26, 1988.
Wayne Carrington

Lots of of New York’s Most interesting gathered in Queens early Saturday morning to commemorate a slain rookie cop who was ambushed and killed whereas sitting in his squad automobile there 34 years in the past.

Mourners remembered Edward Byrne in a midnight ceremony on the nook of 107th Ave. and Inwood St. in South Jamaica – steps away from the place he was fatally shot on Feb. 26, 1988 whereas guarding the home of a witness in a drug case. He was simply 22.

“He didn’t ask why. He simply took his project and understood it’s significance,” mentioned NYPD Commanding Officer Inspector Vincent Tavalaro.

These in attendance included members of the family of the hero cop, in addition to NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and different prime brass.

A police automobile to recollect Edward Byrne is seen together with his uniform contained in the automobile on the nook of 107th Ave. and Inwood St. in South Jamaica.

Wayne Carrington

“On one hand, it’s very comforting however then again, it’s a relentless reminder of how troublesome the job is,” Byrnes’ brother Ken Byrne mentioned concerning the annual memorial.

“It’s a sober remembrance for all cops who do that job day-after-day, probably the most troublesome jobs you possibly can ever do.”

Edward Byrne was ambushed and murdered whereas sitting in his squad automobile whereas guarding the home of a witness for a drug case in 1988.

Brigitte Stelzer

This 12 months, the ceremony got here a month after a profession felony allegedly killed law enforcement officials Jason Rivera, 22, and Wilbert Mora, 27, throughout a home name at an condo in East Harlem.

“Because the starting of the 12 months, seven New York Metropolis officers haven't returned house safely, and two, detective Rivera and detective Mora, won't ever return once more,” mentioned Tavalaro.

Keechant Sewell, NYPD Commissioner, was in attendance for the hero cop’s ceremony at 107th Avenue and Inwood St. in Queens on February 26, 2022.

Wayne Carrington

Ken Byrne mentioned the deaths of the officers was “like reliving issues once more.”

“I can’t think about what these households are going via,” he instructed The Put up after the ceremony. “I’ve been there to get that knock and it’s not day.”

Police stand close to the automobile honoring Edward Byrne on the nook the place he was assassinated on Feb. 26, 1988.

Wayne Carrington

The homicide of Byrne drew nationwide consideration from President Ronald Regan and his vice chairman, Republican candidate George HW Bush, who carried his badge on the marketing campaign path and later stored it within the Oval Workplace, police mentioned.

4 males have been convicted in reference to the assassination.