By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Managing Editor
EAST HARLEM — A section of East 123rd Street was renamed Saturday in honor of NYPD Det. Omar Edwards, who was gunned down by a fellow officer while chasing a man who had tried to break into his car.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and other local leaders turned up the NYPD Housing Bureau's Service Area 5 Station House, where Edwards, 25, once worked, to dedicate "Detective Omar J. Edwards Way."
The station house is located at 221 East 123rd Street, between Second and Third avenues.
"Omar was a natural at connecting with the individuals he encountered especially the young people," Kelly said in prepared remarks. "Even when making an arrest, he’d encourage young suspects to turn their lives around."
Last year, Edwards was awarded the NYPD's Medal of Honor, the department's highest honor.
On May 28, 2009, when Edwards was heading to his car after work, he spotted a man trying to break into it. He chased the man, with his gun drawn. He was gunned down by a fellow police officer, who mistook him for a suspect.
"Two years ago today, Omar lost his life not far from here. He was taking police action when he was shot and killed by another officer’s fire," Kelly said. We lost a gifted police officer, full of promise."
