Mr. Howard joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1955. The next year he was assigned to the Highway Patrol motorcycle unit. He performed at the yearly police-sponsored Thrill Show. His stunt-riding through a wall of flames prompted an invitation to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, said his son, James Jr. He never made it to the studio because of a train accident.
In 1965, Mr. Howard became a member of the newly formed Stakeout Unit, a precursor to the SWAT Team, and worked on bank details, organized crime details, and was an undercover member of the Granny Squad. Mr. Howard, who was over 6 feet tall and weighed 245 pounds, dressed as an elderly woman to act as a decoy to catch muggers.
He often faced dangerous situations and was a legend on the force. In 1963, Mr. Howard was assaulted outside a courtroom by a man and woman he was testifying against; in 1968, during a shoot-out with a man who barricaded 14 people in a bar, he was shot in the chest - a bullet-proof vest saved his life; in 1973, he helped quell a riot at Holmesburg Prison; and in 1978 and 1985, he was involved in the confrontations between police and the radical group MOVE. In the 1978 incident, James J. Ramp, a good friend, was killed.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Stairiker Howard and sons James Jr., Michael and Paul; a daughter, Christine; a sister; and seven grandchildren.
Mr. Howard joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1955. The next year he was assigned to the Highway Patrol motorcycle unit. He performed at the yearly police-sponsored Thrill Show. His stunt-riding through a wall of flames prompted an invitation to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, said his son, James Jr. He never made it to the studio because of a train accident.
In 1965, Mr. Howard became a member of the newly formed Stakeout Unit, a precursor to the SWAT Team, and worked on bank details, organized crime details, and was an undercover member of the Granny Squad. Mr. Howard, who was over 6 feet tall and weighed 245 pounds, dressed as an elderly woman to act as a decoy to catch muggers.
He often faced dangerous situations and was a legend on the force. In 1963, Mr. Howard was assaulted outside a courtroom by a man and woman he was testifying against; in 1968, during a shoot-out with a man who barricaded 14 people in a bar, he was shot in the chest - a bullet-proof vest saved his life; in 1973, he helped quell a riot at Holmesburg Prison; and in 1978 and 1985, he was involved in the confrontations between police and the radical group MOVE. In the 1978 incident, James J. Ramp, a good friend, was killed.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Stairiker Howard and sons James Jr., Michael and Paul; a daughter, Christine; a sister; and seven grandchildren.