Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Walthers was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to arrest an escaped Georgia convict. The two deputies had entered the suspect's motel room and had allowed the suspect and his female companion to get dressed. As they did so the suspect produced a .38 caliber revolver and opened fire. During the ensuing struggle Deputy Walthers was fatally shot in the chest and second deputy was shot in the hand and foot. The other deputy was able to return fire and wound the suspect. Both the suspect and the woman were arrested about three hours later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison on December 6, 1981. Deputy Walthers had been with the agency for 13 years and was survived by his wife and three children. Deputy Walthers played a prominent role in the investigation of Lee Harvey Oswald following the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
Survivors
Deputy Walthers had been with the agency for 13 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-C72101B9- Stewardship
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Walthers gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Walthers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff E. R. Walthers is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Dallas County Sheriff's Department, 14 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. E. R. Walthers's cause is highlighted.
How E. R. Walthers Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. E. R. Walthers is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. E. R. Walthers was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Dallas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
