MPD applies for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant

Milford Police Department is applying for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant

Milford Police Department notified City Council that they were applying for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), a requirement under the application process. The department has applied for and received the grant in previous years.

“This is just a requirement of federal notification to the city that we, along with other jurisdictions in the area, have applied for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance, or formally known as the JAG grant,” Chief Cecilia Ashe said. “We are required to put out public notice to the city that we are applying”

Chief Ashe explained that because her department and other agencies were smaller, they tried to collaborate on this type of grants rather than compete. The grant will benefit Milford, Seaford, Laurel and Georgetown as well. The total grant would be just over $55,000.

The grant is named for Officer Edward R. Byrne, a New York City police officer who joined that force in 1987 after serving with the New York City Transit Authority. In the early morning hours of February 26, 1988, Officer Byrne was protecting a witness who was to testify against local drug dealers. Two armed gunmen crept up to his car on both sides and, while one tapped on the window to distract Officer Byrne, the other opened fire, shooting the officer five times. Officer Byrne died of his injuries at only 22 years old. The perpetrators were captured and sentenced to 25 years to life. In his memory, the Bureau of Justice Assistance administers the Byrne award to communities nationwide.

The JAG program provides critical funding to support law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention, education and more.