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Incident
Officer Walter Williams was patrolling his area at approximately 4:00 am when he noticed two suspicious males at the intersection of Orange Street and Ward Street in Waterbury. He was about to question the males when one of them checked Officer Williams' chest to see if he was wearing his vest, which he was. The suspect then pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Williams in the head, leaving him alone next to the police car to die. A passerby noticed Officer Williams and used the police radio to call for help. The suspect was found shortly after that morning and was sentenced to death. In 2017, his death sentence was overturned, and he was resentenced to life in prison without parole. Officer Williams was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Waterbury Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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. Air Force. 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.
Officer Williams gave the Waterbury Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury 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 T. Williams III served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Watertown Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 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 1992, 1 officer at Watertown Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1992, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1992, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1992, 97 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 34. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Watertown Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 40; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Walter was 34. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Walter had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Walter was 34. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 34. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Watertown Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
December holds 9.5% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Fridays: 14.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Watertown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Watertown Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Paul Mendelssohn
Mar 8, 1903
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Daniel J. Lane
Aug 7, 1913
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John F. Donahue
Aug 2, 1920
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William J. Stokes
May 2, 1925
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Matthew J. McNally
Nov 20, 1930
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Edward F. Ryan
Jan 27, 1933
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John E. Palmatier
Jul 20, 1941
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Frank D. Romano
Nov 22, 1958
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Leonard J. LaManna
Nov 18, 1961
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Walter T. Williams, III
Dec 18, 1992
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Bruce Hanley
Dec 13, 1997
Where
Military Service
Walter T. Williams III served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Walter T. Williams III’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
