Memphis Police discovered the body of Lieutenant Edward Vidulich inside his home at 3454 Shiloh around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning. Vidulich appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound.
Old Allen Station officers went to the house after responding to a burning vehicle call at the 1600 block of Winston. The vehicle in question was registered to Vidulich, a 28-year veteran of the department known as “Big Ed.”
Officers were then dispatched to his home to check on his well-being. Vidulich was found lying on the floor and unresponsive.
Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin said the department is investigating Vidulich’s death as a homicide, but police currently have no leads. A $5,000 reward, in addition to a reward offered by Crime Stoppers, will be issued by the City Council to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest in this case.
Vidulich was hired by the department in June 1979. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1998 and assigned to the Old Allen Station. Vidulich is perhaps best known to Memphians for his role in trying to save a manatee found in the Mississippi River in 2006.
— Bianca Phillips
