On an autumn afternoon in Syracuse, New York, on October 30, 1990, the life of 31-year-old Wallie Howard Jr., a dedicated male police officer, was tragically cut short. Howard, a nine-year veteran of the Syracuse Police Department and a member of the Central New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, was working undercover, preparing to purchase two kilograms of cocaine in the parking lot of a local grocery store on Salina Street.
The operation took a fatal turn when the intended drug deal transformed into a robbery.
As Investigator Howard sat in his vehicle, he was approached by individuals involved in the drug transaction. One of these men, 16-year-old Robert 'Bam Bam' Lawrence, brandished a firearm and shot Howard in the head. The plan to rob the undercover officer had been orchestrated by Jaime Davidson, the leader of a New York-based drug ring. Despite being wounded, Howard was able to fire his own weapon, injuring one of his assailants before he was fatally struck. Backup officers in the vicinity moved in and quickly apprehended the suspects at the scene. Wallie Howard Jr. was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that evening without ever regaining consciousness.
The investigation that followed led to the arrests and convictions of five men in connection with the murder of Wallie Howard Jr. The shooter, Robert Lawrence, and the mastermind, Jaime Davidson, were both sentenced to life in prison. Three other accomplices also received lengthy sentences for their roles in the crime. Over the years, the case has seen several developments. Lawrence's sentence was eventually reduced, and he was released on parole in October 2020. In a controversial move, President Donald Trump commuted Jaime Davidson's life sentence on his last day in office in January 2021, a decision that was met with significant backlash from Howard's family and law enforcement officials.
