On October 30, 1990, 31-year-old Syracuse police officer Wallie Howard Jr. was killed while working undercover. A nine-year veteran assigned to the Central New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Howard was preparing to purchase two kilograms of cocaine in a grocery store parking lot on Salina Street when the transaction turned into a planned robbery.

A 16-year-old, Robert Bam Bam Lawrence, produced a firearm and shot Howard in the head. Howard managed to fire back and wounded one assailant but was mortally wounded; he was taken to the hospital and died later that evening without regaining consciousness.

Investigators say the robbery had been orchestrated by Jaime Davidson, described as the leader of a New York-based drug ring. Five men were arrested and later convicted in connection with Howard’s murder, including Lawrence and Davidson.

If anyone has information about Howard’s life, his work in Syracuse, or the case surrounding his death, please share what you know.