Incident
Policeman Miller succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident while pursuing a speeding vehicle. Policeman Miller was at the intersection of Calhoun Street and Meeting Street when the vehicle sped by. As Policeman Miller attempted to stop the vehicle he swerved to avoid a pedestrian and crashed. He sustained severe injuries in the accident and was taken to Riverside Infirmary where he died 12 days later.
Survivors
Policeman Miller and been with the agency for only one year and was survived by his wife, son and five siblings.
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
You barely got started.
Policeman Miller gave the Charleston Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Miller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Charleston Police Department has lost 24 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 1 officer at Charleston Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1955, with 3.
In 1940, 5 officers in SC were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 1940, 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 1940, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 25. Of the 8 lost to accidents at Charleston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 35.5; the middle age was 28.5. Walter had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Walter was 25. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34. Walter had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 25. 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 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10% of these deaths at Charleston Police Department; December holds the most, 30%. Sundays: 20%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in SC; June holds the most, 13.7%. Sundays: 12.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 24 deaths at Charleston Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 10% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 10.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Charleston Police Department has 24 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Arthur Porcher Gaillard
Aug 14, 1857
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Thomas J. Martin Jul 22, 1870
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John Harlow Dec 22, 1878
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John Joseph Bean, Jr. Apr 21, 1899
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James J. Duffy Jul 16, 1916
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William E. Raymond Sep 10, 1919
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Henry William Buck Feb 27, 1921
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Julian C. Bunch May 1, 1932
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Snyder Lee Risher May 6, 1932
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Lawrence Marion Strock
Sep 10, 1932
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Purce A. Wansley Jul 14, 1936
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Walter J. Miller Jul 14, 1940
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William Henry Wilson
Dec 8, 1942
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Keith Ellsworth Oct 6, 1944
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Junius P. Lewis Dec 6, 1951
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Lawrence Bryant Aytes
Jun 17, 1955
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Jessie C. Benton
Jun 17, 1955
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James Franklin Tindal
Jun 17, 1955
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Joseph Vega
Oct 12, 1955
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Wesley John Smith
Dec 16, 1975
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Charles Alvin Snider
Mar 2, 1979
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Perrin Richard Love, II
May 21, 1999
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Dennis Elisha LaPage
Jan 19, 2002
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Roger Myers
Apr 5, 2004
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
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