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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Terry succumbed to injuries sustained when he was thrown from his horse while preparing to participate in a parade in Bullard. His horse suddenly became spooked, causing him to be thrown to the ground. He was transported to Medical Center Hospital in Tyler where he died approximately two hours later as a result of a head injury. Deputy Terry was a US Army veteran. He had served with the Smith County Sheriff's Department for several years and had previously served with the Whitehouse Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two stepchildren, four grandchildren, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Walter is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Terry gave the Smith County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tyler community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Walter Leroy Terry served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Smith County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Walter is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1985, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1985, 75 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 46. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 18%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Smith County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Smith County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Military Service
Walter Leroy Terry served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Walter Leroy Terry’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Smith County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
