Memphis Officer Found Murder

[sundude]

A veteran Memphis police officer was found shot to death in his home early Monday morning, officials said.

Lt. Ed Vidulich, 51, was shot to death, according to Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin.

There were no obvious signs of forced entry to the residence.

"We have some leads, but it's a mystery," Memphis Police spokesperson Monique Martin said.

Vidulich's car was found several blocks away from his home in the 1600 block of Winston Drive. Investigators said it had been set on fire.

When Vidulich did not show up for work Monday, co-workers became concerned and went to his home to check on him. His body was found just after 1:00 a.m.

Police said Vidulich talked with his wife, a sheriff's department dispatcher, by phone around 9 p.m. Sunday, and the SUV was believed set on fire about 10:30 p.m.

Investigators were initially focused on determining Vidulich's activities during that time gap.

Close Friends

The last time Vidulich was in the news, the veteran officer was heading up a 2006 effort to recue a giant manatee that became disoriented and lost in the Mississippi River.

Vidulich, a harbor patrol supervisor, became a familier face to Memphis television viewers during that time.

A member of the Memphis Police Department since 1979, the officer was a close friend of Godwin.

"Loyal best friends...he was there, and I lost that," Godwin said. "There's a void there, but he was a special person."

Godwin recalled how he andVidulich went through the police academy together.

"He always told the story that I did his push up for him," Godwin said. "He was a big guy."

Born in New York Vidulich, came to the Mid-South to attend Ole Miss. Godwin said Vidulich often felt like his protector.

Both men looked forward to their new grandsons playing together, and Godwin said they both talked about retiring at the same time.

"He said, 'I'm staying here as long as you are. When you leave, I'll leave,'" Godwin said.A veteran Memphis police officer was found dead in his home Monday morning, officials said.

Pleading for information

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Godwin announced the Memphis City Council had authorized a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of Vidulich's killer or killers. The Memphis City Council award was in addition to money offered by Crime Stoppers, Godwin said.

Godwin pleaded for members of the public to provide any information they could.





A tragic loss. Thoughts go out to his family. RIP

*EDIT* Sorry about the title...just saw that.

[greenhead]

I hope they find who did this! RIP Lt. Vidulich. My thoughts and prayers are with all involved.

[chewy]

Did he find "Murder" or was he found "Murdered"...


I don't think you should post something sad like a murdered cop story with a BIG FRIGGIN SMILING SUN as your avatar... it just doesn't look right! :D

[sundude]

Once again, sorry about the misspelled title.

An update:

Tuesday, Memphis police continued trying to piece together the movements of Lt. Ed Vidulich in the hours leading up to his murder Sunday night.

Investigators are talking with anyone who knew him or his wife, a dispatcher for the Shelby County Sheriff's department.

"Everything is under investigation of who may have known him and who may have seen him. And we have no knew developments as of today," Monique Martin of the Memphis Police Department said.

Police said Lt. Vidiluch was shot in his Frayser home.

There did not appear to be forced entry into his home and he did not struggle, something people who know him say is highly unlikely because he was 6'8 and quite imposing. Not the type of person who would at least fight his attacker if he could.

He is also described as a man who would not let someone he did not know into his house.

Investigators said it did not appear anything was taken from Vidulich's home.

Sources said it appears Vidulich may have known his attacker. But at this point police say they have no suspects.