The undercover investigator was killed 20 years ago.
Syracuse police Lt. John Kavanagh assists Delores Howard with a wreath at a tribute this morning to her son, Wallie Howard Jr. Behind them are Wallie Howard Jr.'s children, Cyntia and Wallie III.Under gray skies, Syracuse police officers this morning marked the 20th and final tribute to their slain comrade, Investigator Wallie Howard Jr.
Wallie Howard III embraces his mother, Cynthia Brown this morning at a memorial service for his father.Howard was shot and killed during an undercover drug deal Oct. 30, 1990, and ever since police officers have held a ceremony in his honor on the anniversary of his death. Next year, however, Howard will be remembered May 15 on National Law Enforcement Day along with the nine other fallen city police officers whose names are inscribed on the wall in Forman Park.
Jeff Piedmonte, president of the police officers union, said the annual service is difficult on family members, especially Howard’s mother, Delores.
“Different people have asked over the years how long it was going to continue,” Piedmonte said after the ceremony in the park. “We talked to the Howard family and decided it would be a good time to conclude after 20 years.”
Twenty years is the standard length of a police career, Piedmonte said.
Members of Howard’s family said they were grateful the police union has held the service for as many years as it has.
“In a lot of places, this would have stopped 10 years ago,” said Howard’s cousin, Dean Cochren, who lives in Newark, N.J. “Twenty years is a long time, and it shows how much (Howard’s death) meant to the community.”
Howard was trying to buy four pounds of cocaine for roughly $40,000 in an undercover sting when three drug dealers robbed him. The robbery turned into a shootout, and Howard was shot in the head and killed.
This morning, about 100 city police officers walked four abreast from the Public Safety Building on State Street to the park. More than 100 firefighters and members of the public also attended the service.
Howard’s son, Wallie Howard III, spoke to the crowd as his sister, Cyntia, stood at his side.
“My dad was my hero long before October 30, 1990,” said Howard, who was 7 years old when his father died. “It took a tragedy and the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of the world to know what we already knew.”
His mother, Cynthia Brown said after the ceremony that Wallie Howard Jr.’s memory will live on.
“Even though there won’t be this ceremony,” Brown said through tears, “I know that people who respected Wallie will still come by on this day and say a prayer and say a thank you.”
Deputy Police Chief Joseph Cecile, left, Chief Frank Fowler and Deputy Chief Rebecca Thompson lead Syracuse police in a tribute this morning to slain officer, Wallie Howard Jr.