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Incident
Patrolman Walter Bosscawen succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 9 days earlier when he was shot by one of three men who were burglarizing a local business with the intent of blowing open its safe. Patrolman Bosscawen had been lying in wait inside the business after receiving a tip that it was the target of thieves. When the thieves were inside of the business they encountered Patrolman Bosscawen, who told them to freeze. One of the men opened fire on him with a revolver, striking him once. He returned fire and struck the gunman twice in the leg. All three suspects were apprehended and charged with first degree murder. The gunman, 20 years old, and one of his accomplices was convicted of murder on November 13, 1915, and sentenced to life in the Ohio Pentitentiary. A month later the other suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a indeterminate term in the Mansfield Reformatory. On December 1, 1939, after 24 years in prison the gunman was paroled. On May 23, 1948, he shot and seriously wounded a Canton, Ohio Police Officer who attempted to arrest him for breaking into a hardware store. On October 5, 1948 he was convicted of attempted murder of a police officer and returned to prison to serve 1 to 20 years.
Survivors
Patrolman Bosscawen was survived by his wife, son, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bosscawen served with the Newark Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bosscawen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newark Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 38. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Walter was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Walter was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Newark Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Newark Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Newark Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
