Roll of Honor
Rufus William Walters
Incident
Guard Rufus Walters was shot and killed during an escape from the Floral City State Prison Road Camp at a work site on Rutland Road, approximately three miles east of Inverness.
A friend of two inmates had hidden a shotgun at the work site. At approximately 3:00 pm, as the two retrieved the shotgun, they were confronted by Guard Walters. One of the inmates fired at him, killing him instantly.
The two inmates then abducted a motorist and stole a car as they escaped. They fled to Dearborn, Michigan, where they were stopped by police on August 6th, 1938. The subject who shot Guard Walters resisted arrest and was shot and killed by Dearborn police. The other inmate was arrested and extradited back to Florida where he was convicted of murdering Guard Walters. On June 4th, 1946, the inmate was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the Florida State Prison.
Guard Walters had served with the Florida State Convict Road Force for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, one grandchild, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-1D50C3F3- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Walters gave the Florida State Road Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Walters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Rufus William Walters 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rufus William Walters's cause is highlighted.
How Rufus William Walters Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rufus William Walters is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rufus William Walters was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
