Edwin Godfrey

- Danielle Godfrey (sister, deceased)

- Janine Godfrey (wife)

- Eunice Godfrey (daughter)

**Edwin Dominic Godfrey** is the primary protagonist of the Fatal Crimes series. He was a decorated and well-respected police officer of the Philadelphia Police Department, until his sister and officer partner Danielle was shot and killed during a confrontation with a serial killer. Due to witnessing such a traumatic tragedy, Edwin was dismissed from the force after being diagnosed with PTSD. His early retirement took him to settle down into the quiet town of Blairfield.

## History

Around the 1950s, Edwin was born to Alexander Godfrey, a well-respected police officer of Philadelphia, and Dolores Godfrey, a nurse. Edwin has a younger sister named Danielle, who looked up to him while Edwin made it his duty to take care of her. Edwin was known to be a straight-A student in his schooling years, it was known that his academic excellence was so remarkable that he skipped grades, which would be quite understandable as he was able to graduate from high school at the age of 14.

Upon attending university, Edwin was inspired by his father to take on criminology. According to his wife, Janine (whom he met in high school), Edwin took a longer time in university to wait for her to graduate. After university, Edwin went to the police academy and went straight to the force at the age of 25, he also married Janine around this time.

Edwin worked in the Philadelphia Police Department with his father, who became captain at that point. History repeated itself when Edwin climbed the ranks from rookie officer to senior lieutenant in the matter of five years. Edwin and Janine then had a daughter named Eunice while Edwin was a junior lieutenant. All throughout his time in the force, Edwin developed such a great reputation for outsmarting many criminals, many officers and his trainees (and, sometimes, criminals) respected him and always relied on him to be in the investigation. While he was in the PPD, Danielle joined him after graduating from the police academy. Danielle also rose ranks and became Edwin's junior partner. It was well known in the force that Edwin and Danielle have to work together as their sibling bond gave them an advantage in catching criminals.

Around the 1980s, Edwin and Danielle were hot on the trail of the serial killer Martin Bergman, a.k.a. the Killer Cupid. The dynamic duo managed to corner Bergman and confronted him in an abandoned apartment complex. However, tragedy struck when Danielle was shot by Bergman, who was then shot dead by Edwin in return. Danielle died in the shocked Edwin's arms. Due to such emotional damage, Edwin was dismissed from the Philadelphia Police Department after a psychologist diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder. Alexander, who was on his way to chief at that time, also retired from the force and descent into a spiral of depression, which got worse when Dolores died of grief.

The grieving Edwin and his family moved to the quiet seaside town of Blairfield for a place of recovery. Janine left her job to care for her suffering husband while Eunice grew apart from her father. Around the 2000s, Edwin began to recover and was able to go outside of his house and cope by taking walks around the neighborhood with his wife. Due to the shock factor of the grief, Edwin and Alexander stayed distant for awhile. Edwin's pinnacle of recovery was when he befriended Blairfield's leading police officer, Harry Jensen.

In the events of "Within Old Friends", Edwin decided to go out to meet his old fraternity friends after missing out on many class reunions. However, as things were going splendidly, his old best friend Teddy Harrington was murdered. Interestingly, Edwin had a different reaction to the tragedy - his shock became an urge to solve the murder. This was when Edwin met the enthusiastic young homicide lieutenant Darlene Lawson, who was a fan of the "Godfrey Legacy". Edwin became confident in being partnered with such an ecstatic and aspired officer, but was let down when his old embittered colleague Willard Abrams, who is now a police chief, used his power to stop Edwin from interfering with the case. However, this change in Edwin's character also made him persistent in solving murders no matter what tries to stop him.

## Personality

Edwin is not a typical hard-as-nails, cigar-smoking private investigators like Columbo. Yes, Edwin is quite serious when it comes the crime scene, during interrogation and/or confronting a criminal. He is no-nonsense in the subject of murder, possibly hinting his PTSD. He expects answers, whether true or false (because, either way, Edwin can still find the truth). When the lieutenant makes a wrong consclusion, he still persists to investigate the murder until the culprit has been unmasked.

Once a case has been solved, Edwin appears to be caring and gentle to everyone. He is extremely loving and loyal towards his wife Janine, no matter her fussy attitude. Edwin is usually supportive to his daughter's career path. When it comes to the concept of family, Edwin is the father; the protective figure head, he will do anything to keep them out of harm's way, including putting himself in line. Edwin is also an advisor — he volunteers to help people in family by offering tips to keep a family intact.

Edwin tries to balance two of his roles throughout the series, in supporting his family and putting perpetrators behind bars.

## Abilities and Skills

No, he does not carry a magnifying glass all day. Edwin's source of fame is his unique ability to use small details in a crime to deduce and incriminate the culprit behind the murder. Edwin has the ability to break airtight alibis through these tiny details, from the murder of an astronaut in space to a simple homicide in his hometown. Edwin can also use this skill as a sense when a murder is staged as a suicide, robbery etc. Edwin can create a chronological order of the crime scene in the concept of motive or series of events.

Aside from noticing small incriminating details, Edwin can also read the character of the people of interest. Edwin can usually tell the life story behind the scene of the crime. Edwin can tell what drives people to kill someone by simply talking to them. This was usually manipulated by some of his closest friends who he deduced as criminals — they knew that Edwin could read their attitudes, they count on Edwin not suspecting them for their past encounter with him. But, despite this weakness, Edwin can still claim justice.

Edwin appears to have an excellent memory, regarding the case he is working on or when meeting with old friends. Linking to a good memory, Edwin also has a lot of background knowledge relating to the crime committed, whether it be the crime scene, method of killing or murder weapons. This usually helps him in solving cases to make certain connections.

Besides than mental ability, Edwin also knows self-defense. This reflects his history in police training. Edwin can disarm a person holding a gun without putting harming himself. He can also pick locks to open doors or lockers. Edwin also has medical training, probably coming from his mother. Edwin is able to remove bullets and apply stitches and anti-toxins.

## Relationships

Janine Goodman:

* Edwin dearly loves his wife and both are loyal to each other. He usually agrees to go to a holiday retreat with Janine to enjoy quality time ever since they raised Eunice and Edwin solving cases.
* Janine constantly worry about Edwin's wellbeing whenever he involves himself in investigating murders during quality time. Though, she does understand Edwin's motivation in solving murders — to dedicate himself in serving justice for others, dead or alive, for the sake of the satisfaction he can't have with the death of his father and sister.
* Edwin can be protective over his wife, especially when their marriage is at stake, when another man catches Janine's attention. Edwin also protects his wife from any physical harm, he would put himself on hostage with Janine to prevent her from getting harmed. This protective nature could be an effect of his PTSD from losing his father and sister.

Eunice Goodwin:

* Edwin is very protective over his daughter, especially in her relationships with men. Eunice tend to resent Edwin's worrisome attitude towards her boyfriends, specifically Andy. The two settled this situation when Edwin expressed to Eunice before her wedding with Andy (Here Comes The Bride) — that it is Edwin's role as a father to protect Eunice from any men who he did not know, even if she was an adult.

Andy Goodwin:

* At first, Edwin did not accept Andy as Eunice's boyfriend due to his protective nature towards her. But, soon enough, he noticed Andy's true love for his daughter and agreed jn their partnership.

Lt. Darlene Lawson:

* Edwin and Lt. Lawson only have a professional relationship. Lt. Lawson praised Edwin's intelligence in solving cases, she allowed him to assist her in investigating. However, Edwin and Lt. Lawson did have some arguments regarding cases. Lt. Lawson is quick in making assumption that blinds her from knowing deeper. This blindness would eventually lead the true culprit to escape. It is Edwin's duty to make sure that the lieutenant make the correct arrest.

Lt. Harry Jensen:

* Since the quiet neighbourhood of Kentville can be quite dangerous, Lt. Jensen counts on Edwin's intellect to arrest ominous criminals. Despite their professional relationship, they are shown to be good friends, Edwin and Janine would sometimes invite Lt. Jensen for a casual roast dinner. Edwin was also Lt. Jensen's best man in the wedding with Lt. Lawson. Edwin also gave marital advice to him.