Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Walsh was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a robbery in progress while off-duty. Officer Walsh had just gotten off-duty and stopped at a bar near his home in Queens when three armed, masked men entered the bar and announced a robbery. One suspect, who was holding two guns, pointed one gun at Officer Walsh and the other gun at a friend Officer Walsh had been talking to. Officer Walsh's friend made a movement that distracted the gunman and allowed Officer Walsh to draw his weapon. Officer Walsh identified himself as a Police Officer, but before he could take any further action, he was shot in the shoulder by the suspect. The suspect then yelled to his accomplices, and the suspects began to flee the bar. As he was leaving, the gunman who wounded Officer Walsh walked up to the injured officer and shot him in the head, killing him. The suspect then fled from the bar, with Officer Walsh's friend in pursuit. The suspects fled into a getaway car, driven by a fourth suspect. As they fled, Officer Walsh's friend fired several shots at the suspects but could not stop them. All four suspects, 15, 16, 17, and 23, were apprehended within the next three days. On April 22, 1982, the three oldest were convicted of murder and robbery. The suspect that fired the shots that killed Officer Walsh was 16-years-old. He was sentenced to 25 years to life. He was paroled in 2020. The 17-year-old was sentenced to 21 years to life. He was paroled in 2019. The oldest was sentenced to 18 years to life. On August 23, 1988, he was granted a new trial. The 15-year-old suspect pleaded guilty as a juvenile offender in Family Court and was sentenced to 10 years. Officer Walsh had served with the New York City Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the 7the Precinct in Manhattan.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Walsh gave the New York City Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Walsh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert E. Walsh 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert E. Walsh's cause is highlighted.
How Robert E. Walsh Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert E. Walsh is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert E. Walsh was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
