Walter Brakes
Agency patch
Policeman

Walter Brakes

Waycross Police Department — Waycross, GA
Felonious
End of Watch August 26, 1920
Age 39
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 39 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman Walter Brakes was shot and killed as he other officers raided a hotel on Reed Street at approximately 1:30 am.

As they attempted to arrest a drunk man the subject suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking Policeman Brakes in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Policeman Brakes returned fire and mortally wounded the subject.

Policeman Barkes had served with the Waycross Police Department for six years.

Rest in peace Policeman Brakes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis December 8th, 2021

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-AAF61B1D
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.
Policeman Brakes gave the Waycross Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waycross community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Brakes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Waycross, GA
Platform Identity wpd.ware.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 26, 1920
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Policeman Walter Brakes 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Waycross Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Waycross Police Department
2
of 3 officers
66.7% Felonious
GA — Statewide
549
of 905 officers
60.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Brakes's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Walter Brakes Compares

Age at Death
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Brakes is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Brakes was killed by gun; unknown type.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Waycross Police Department are honored on badge.nw.