LA GRANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT

La Grange Kentucky

La Grange  Police Officers'  Memorial

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day
and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week.


Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

Patrolman Eddie Mundo, Jr.
End of Watch: April 16, 2003

Officer Eddie Mundo was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a vehicle he was searching for.

The driver of the vehicle, who was under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, had assaulted his wife and fled the scene before officers arrived. Officer Mundo had begun searching for the suspect and had driven approximately one mile outside of the city limits on Jericho Road. He turned his patrol car around and was heading back towards the center of town, when the suspect's vehicle came around a sharp bend at a high rate of speed and struck the patrol car.

The driver fled the scene of the accident but turned himself in several hours later at a nearby house. In July 2004 the suspect pleaded guilty to manslaughter, wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, and DUI. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Officer Mundo had also served as a U.S. Marine Corps military police officer for four years, and as a deputy for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. He is survived by his wife and one-year-old son, and his parents, Luisa and Eddie, Sr.

Patrolman William D. Porter
End of Watch: February 25, 1955

Patrolman William D. Porter, W.D. as known by his friends, was shot and killed while he and the Chief of Police, Robert Waits, attempted to arrest a robbery suspect who had robbed a supermarket in Louisville, KY. earlier in the day.

Patrolman Porter and the chief located the suspect passing through La Grange as he was returning to Ohio. As their patrol unit pulled along side the suspect, Herman C. Howard, on KY Highway 146 he opened fire striking Patrolman Porter in the head. The chief returned to La Grange with Patrolman Porter where he was pronounced deceased.

Howard wrecked his vehicle at KY Highway 146 and Ky Highway 153. Fleeing on foot he took a farmer and his family hostage over night while a statewide manhunt was underway. Then stealing the farmer's car the next morning, the murderer headed towards Frankfort Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police arrested Howard as he was entering Frankfort on KY 127 in the stolen car. Herman C. Howard was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the Murder of Patrolman William D. Porter.

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