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Incident
Sergeant Walter Major was accidentally shot and killed as he and another detective attempted to unload a semi-automatic pistol at the 2nd Precinct station house.
The handgun discharged and struck Sergeant Major in the head, killing him.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Major served with the Albany Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Major.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Albany Police Department has lost 12 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 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 1921, 9 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1921, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 44. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
Walter was 44. 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 was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 9.7% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 12 deaths at Albany Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, 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
Albany Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Walter Major Aug 16, 1921
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Francis V. Keyes
Apr 24, 1936
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William J. Fitzpatrick
Jan 5, 1945
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Samuel B. Robinson
May 13, 1957
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Francis W. Castle
Feb 6, 1961
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Thomas P. McAvoy
Jan 28, 1964
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Edward C. Stevens
Nov 26, 1971
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Michael F. McNeil, Jr.
Nov 29, 1971
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Guy John Barringer
Apr 10, 1987
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John F. Finn
Feb 12, 2004
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Kenneth P. Wilcox
Apr 26, 2006
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Douglas Henry Mayville
Apr 9, 2014
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
