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Ernest Wilson Walters Sr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ernest Walters was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice on a woman on West 14th Street in Winston-Salem. As he and two workers removed furniture from the home the woman opened fire on him with a 12-gauge shotgun as he walked from the back yard to the front door. The 41-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. She was paroled December 31st, 1971. Deputy Walters was a WWII veteran and also served as a constable for Winston-Salem.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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 Walters served with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Winston-Salem 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
Ernest Wilson Walters Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1966, 5 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 41. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Ernest 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.
Ernest was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where
Military Service
Ernest Wilson Walters Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ernest Wilson Walters Sr.’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 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Forsyth County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
