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Incident
Patrolman Walter Rauch was shot and killed while searching the area for two subjects who had robbed three people on Christmas Eve and early Christmas morning. Patrolman Rauch went to 229-241 East First Street, a location known as a thug hangout, and his body was found shortly afterward. It is believed that he may have surprised the suspects and was shot by them. The shooter was never apprehended. Patrolman Rauch had served with the Dayton Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Rauch gave the Dayton Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rauch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dayton Police Department has lost 31 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 3 officers at Dayton Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 8 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 41. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Dayton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 43.8; the middle age was 39. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Walter was 41. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Walter was 41. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 5.6% of these deaths at Dayton Police Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 38.9%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Sundays: 12.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.1% of all 31 deaths at Dayton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dayton Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Lee Lynam
Jan 17, 1880
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Amer M. Keller
Jan 7, 1897
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William Dalton
Aug 10, 1899
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John J. Stapleton
Jan 17, 1916
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Charles V. Thomas
May 21, 1916
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George V. Purcell
Sep 23, 1916
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Lawrence Robert Graham
Oct 7, 1918
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Edward Michael Hennessey
Oct 12, 1918
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Vinton E. Harsh
Oct 13, 1918
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Emerson A. Glotfelter
Dec 7, 1918
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Clement Leroy Francis
Mar 8, 1919
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Troy Elmer Sine
Jan 28, 1920
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George E. Clark
Jan 29, 1923
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William C. Horn
Sep 18, 1927
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John C. Post
Sep 25, 1927
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Walter E. Rauch
Dec 25, 1927
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William Tom Wilson
Feb 23, 1928
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Lucius J. Rice
Oct 5, 1939
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Sherman E. Nowlin
May 3, 1947
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Herman A. Drexler
May 16, 1947
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Richard Owen Baker
Nov 5, 1965
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Ronald K. Wells
Apr 6, 1967
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James Lee Mobley
Jan 25, 1970
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Paul Erwin Mortimer
Jul 31, 1970
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Daniel Henry Bruns
Jul 3, 1973
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William Kenneth Mortimer
Mar 4, 1974
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Eddie L. Hobson
Oct 11, 1981
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William Steven Whalen
Mar 22, 1991
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Jason K. Grossnickle
May 23, 1996
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Mary Lynn Beall
Aug 25, 2002
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Jorge Rene DelRio
Nov 7, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Dayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
