Several weeks ago, I was given a box of material that was cleaned out of the old press room at the LAPD’s Parker Center headquarters, sometimes called “the cop shop.” The box was a jumble of press releases, photographs, artists’ sketches and other items dating from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. I am organizing and cataloging the material and I’ll be posting selected items on a weekly basis.
The majority of the material is from the LAPD, but there are a few items from the Sheriff’s Department, the Fire Department and other agencies. The photos, showing police officers, suspects and victims, are particularly challenging because many of them are undated and unidentified. Some police officers only have badge numbers or serial numbers. Some victims and suspects are only identified by a DR number or a booking number. And some have nothing.
I’m starting with the 1974 killing of Michael Lee Edwards (DR 74-553-835), the only unsolved murder of a Los Angeles police officer.
Here is 2002 story on the case by former Times reporter Anna Gorman.
And the “77th Street Requiem” by Wendy Hornsby sounds suspiciously like the Michael Lee Edwards case. (Sorry, I originally had “99th Street Requiem.”)
Surely there must be at least one gun enthusiast among the Brain Trust who can tell us what kind of 9 millimeter pistol has six lands and grooves with a right-hand twist.
The changing neighborhood in the 100 block of West 89th Street, up at the corner, where Edwards’ body was found, via Google Street View. Apparently the property has since been demolished.
A map showing the distance between (A) where Edwards’ body was found and (B) where his car was dumped, via Google Street View.
1034 W. 186th St., where Michael Lee Edwards’ Ford Pinto was found, via Google Street View.
ladailymirror.com 
’74, right hand twist i’d wager the 9mm was a browning.
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Yes that’s what Wendy Hornsby suggests in “77th Street Requiem.”
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Never sure if these go thru – you have a typo on your link to Hornsby’s book. It says “99th”, not “77th”.
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Sorry, I should have been thinking the 77th Street Division, where he was assigned. That was a very early morning addition!
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It’s an interesting confession by an officer than a plumber’s death and an officer’s death are investigated differently, although I suspect we’ve always known that. It is also interesting that the investigation of an officer’s death is unclosed as the literature, Ellroy, et al, always implies that there will be no rest until the case is closed. Perhaps, under the influence of Ellroy again, perhaps this case is unsolved for a departmental reason?
In regard to your investigations, you see the prejudice under which we the public consider these cases. Imagine the obstacles to be overcome were we to take up pen!
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