Presented in memory of New York City Police Officer Edward Byrne who was 22 years old when he was murdered by drug dealers in Jamaica, Queens. The murderers had hoped to intimidate the NYPD and the City of New York. Instead, Officer Byrne’s courage and devotion to duty have inspired all of New York’s Finest and all New Yorkers.
NYPD Chief of Staff Kevin P. Ward is receiving the Patrolman Edward Byrne Memorial Award.
A 31-year veteran of the New York Police Department with experience in the patrol, detective, internal affairs and organized crime control bureaus, he was appointed to the NYPD in January, 1984. He began his career in the Midtown North Precinct performing patrol and plainclothes anti-crime duties.
He was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the 84th Precinct, where he performed further anti-crime duties before transferring to the precinct’s detective squad in 1992.
In July, 1996, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau as commanding officer of the Police Impersonation Squad. Two years later, he was promoted to captain and assigned to the Midtown South Precinct as the executive officer.
He was promoted to deputy chief in 2009, and assigned as the executive officer of the organized crime control bureau. In January, 2012, he was promoted to assistant chief and designated commanding officer of Patrol Borough Staten Island. He oversaw and coordinated the department’s response to Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island, including rescue operations, relief efforts and collaboration with federal, state and city agencies.
He served as commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens South in 2013, before Police Commissioner William Bratton appointed him to his current position in January, 2014.
Chief Ward holds a juris doctorate from New York Law School, a master of public administration degree from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay College.
He and his wife of 20 years, Kerri, reside in the Rockaways with their five children: Conor, 19; Ryan Elizabeth, 16; Kelly, 14; and twins Devin and Keira, 8. They attend St. Francis de Sales parish, Belle Harbor.
