On March 25, 2013, NYPD Officer Joseph Pritchard, 30, of North Babylon, was killed in a fiery crash on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills. This sudden loss of Joe left his family and friends without an opportunity to tell him just how important Joe was to them. Just about a month later Bana, his girlfriend and soon to be fiancé, broke the surprise news that she was pregnant with Joe's child. Pritchard, a member of the NYPD since 2005, worked in midtown Manhattan and attended Lindenhurst High School where he played football. In his time as a defensive end and running back for the Bulldogs he earned all-Suffolk County honors and all-Division I honors in 2000. He continued to play football as a member of the NYPD's Finest football team. In May 2010, Pritchard made a key defensive play in the police department's 17-7 win over the FDNY in the annual Fun City Bowl football game played at Hofstra University.
The NYPD Football Family would like to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Omar Edwards family. Omar, a police officer for 2 years, was assigned to the Housing Bureau Impact Response Team. Omar had just finished his tour and was returning to his personal vehicle when he observed a man going through vehicle and attempted to effect arrest. The man broke free and fled on foot as Omar attempted to apprehend perpetrator. Omar was shot as a result of friendly fire and was transported to Harlem Hospital Center where he succumbed to his wounds. At only nine years old Omar spoke of becoming a New York City Police Officer after looking up to his mother whom worked in the 73 pct. Mrs Edwards said "Ever since he was a little kid, he wanted to be a police officer. Something i didn't want, but it was his choice and he loved what he was doing. He loved helping other people." Omar A. Edwards, 24, of Hartford, loving husband of Barbara (Robertson) Edwards entered into eternal rest January 14, 2010. Son of the late Jesse Lee Edwards and Shirlene (Strachan) Edwards of Hartford was born Feb. 1, 1977, in Hartford and was a lifelong resident as well as a graduate of Porter and Chester Institute. Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by five children, Briana, Shamany, Jacari, Bryan and Prodigy Edwards; two sisters, Neeco Gamble and Sherrine Edwards-Gillus (Darryl), Maternal grandmother Charlotte Strachan, and a host of other relatives and friends. Besides his father, he was predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Hershey Lee Edwards.