Page 14 - The Guardians - MPD Summer 2020 Newsletter

An officer torn by tragedies

finds healing in serving

F e a t u r i n g : R o n a l d E d w a r d s , M i l w a u k e e P o l i c e O f f i c e r

M
ilwaukee Police Officer, Ronald
brother, Xavier Mallet, was shot and
Edwards, has experienced a lot of
killed by an off-duty police officer in
tragedies throughout his lifetime. As
Atlanta, Georiga. Although the
a 15-year veteran with the
officer was arrested and convicted for
department, there isn't a day that goes
his brother's murder, Edwards said
by he doesn't use what he endured to
this incident resulted in a further
serve the City of Milwaukee and its divide between him and his family.
residences. become a police officer. Being an
auxiliary police officer allowed me time
"This was probably one of the biggest
"I was born and raised in Milwaukee
to work on those things so I can pursue setbacks for me. I was thinking about
with two brothers and three sisters,"
this career," said Edwards.
leaving law enforcement, and
stated Edwards. "I spent a lot of my
although both situations happened
childhood on Richards Street and
However, in 2001, Edwards's brother,
years apart, it seemed like one after
Chambers, and I graduated from
Mario Mallet, died in the back of a another. I understand what it feels
Vincent High School with Milwaukee
police wagon after a struggle with
like when someone loses a family
Public Schools."
officers. The sudden death of his member at the hands of law
brother caused Edwards to rethink his
enforcement because it happened to
At a young age, Officer Edwards
choice to become a police officer.
me twice," included Edwards.
aspired to become a police officer
thanks to television crime shows he
"I had several conversations with Following his brother's death in
would watch after school. When he
family members, and I still decided to
Atlanta, Edwards told his father he
became of age, he was encouraged to
pursue my career as a police officer. In was considering quitting his job as a
become an auxiliary police officer
2006 I took my oath of office, and I
police officer. His father challenged
with MPD, which only further
was happy to do so. It was one of the him to remember why he wanted to
solidified his passion for serving and
best decisions I've ever made," said
be a police officer and encouraged
protecting.
Edwards. him to do what is best for his family,
himself, and the community. In the
"Growing up, there were some things
While in his second year serving as a end, Edwards decided to keep
I needed to take care of before I could
police officer for MPD, his other
pushing forward to become the
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