Edward J. Vaughan, D'68
Edward J. Vaughan, D'68, passed away on May 21, 2019 in Silver Springs, Maryland.
Edward J. Vaughan, 66, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD. Born in Chicago, IL, to Edward J. Vaughan and Rita Courtney Vaughan, he attended Catholic schools, military school, public schools and for a brief period of time Boys Town in Nebraska. Ed is survived by his loving wife of over 40 years, Carolyn M. Vaughan, and his cherished daughter Emily C. Vaughan. He is also survived by his dear sister, Catherine “Kate” Vaughan of IL, and many nieces and nephews: Phil, Chris and Tony of IA and Mike, Brian and Jennifer of IL. He is also deeply missed by his sister-in-law, Karen, of IA. Predeceasing him in death are his brothers Tom and Jim and his sister, Mary, and nephew, Jason.
As a boy, he loved playing Little League baseball at Thillens field, often earning the ire of the opposing team by stealing bases. It was always a treat to travel to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs play, or sit in the grand old Granada Theater in Rogers Park to see a movie, often a double feature. While at Boys Town, Robert F. Kennedy stopped in during his Presidential campaign and Ed was able to shake his hand and ask a few questions. Ed was always impressed that he stopped by because the boys there were too young to vote.
After high school, Ed worked on his brother’s farm in Iowa and soon joined the Navy working in cryptology while stationed in the Azores and Fort Myer in Arlington, VA.
After the Navy, he worked as a Special Police Officer at American University in DC and at National Airport where he learned to pilot a boat for river rescue.
In 1985, he became a police officer with the City of Fairfax Police Department, going on to work as a financial crime detective, polygraph operator and composite artist until he retired in 2011. He was awarded Police Officer of the Year for 2002 for a bank fraud investigation leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office to file murder charges in two separate homicide cases. In 2005, he was asked to do a composite drawing for a woman who had been brutally attacked while walking home. This drawing turned out to be of Jesse Matthew who subsequently killed two Virginia college students and led to a sentence of life imprisonment.
Ed graduated from Northern Virginia Community College with an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice in 1996. Quick-thinking with a great sense of humor, he was well-loved by friends and family.
Visitation at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 29 from 12 to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitation also on Thursday, May 30, from 9 to 10 a.m., with Catholic services in the chapel at 10 a.m. Interment at 11:30 a.m. Reception following.
Memorial contributions can be made to Boys Town at boystown.org/donate in memory of Edward C. Vaughan.
As a boy, he loved playing Little League baseball at Thillens field, often earning the ire of the opposing team by stealing bases. It was always a treat to travel to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs play, or sit in the grand old Granada Theater in Rogers Park to see a movie, often a double feature. While at Boys Town, Robert F. Kennedy stopped in during his Presidential campaign and Ed was able to shake his hand and ask a few questions. Ed was always impressed that he stopped by because the boys there were too young to vote.
After high school, Ed worked on his brother’s farm in Iowa and soon joined the Navy working in cryptology while stationed in the Azores and Fort Myer in Arlington, VA.
After the Navy, he worked as a Special Police Officer at American University in DC and at National Airport where he learned to pilot a boat for river rescue.
In 1985, he became a police officer with the City of Fairfax Police Department, going on to work as a financial crime detective, polygraph operator and composite artist until he retired in 2011. He was awarded Police Officer of the Year for 2002 for a bank fraud investigation leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office to file murder charges in two separate homicide cases. In 2005, he was asked to do a composite drawing for a woman who had been brutally attacked while walking home. This drawing turned out to be of Jesse Matthew who subsequently killed two Virginia college students and led to a sentence of life imprisonment.
Ed graduated from Northern Virginia Community College with an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice in 1996. Quick-thinking with a great sense of humor, he was well-loved by friends and family.
Visitation at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 29 from 12 to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitation also on Thursday, May 30, from 9 to 10 a.m., with Catholic services in the chapel at 10 a.m. Interment at 11:30 a.m. Reception following.
Memorial contributions can be made to Boys Town at boystown.org/donate in memory of Edward C. Vaughan.