Prev
Incident
Patrolman Hird died in a local hospital from injuries he received during a scuffle with a man he was trying to arrest for drunkenness in a local bar. Patrolman Hird had served with the agency for 19 years. He was survived by his wife. He was a World War II Navy veteran of the South Pacific.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpgg05bmp5dp3d42f4cr- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Walter. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Walter is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Patrolman Hird gave the Methuen Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Methuen 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 Hird served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Methuen Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 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 1966, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
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
Walter was 46. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Walter had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Walter was 46. 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 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 46. 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 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 19.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Methuen Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 9.5% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Methuen Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Military Service
Walter Hird served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Walter Hird’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 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Methuen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
