Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Chapman was shot and killed while protecting garment workers from strikers. While patrolling in Decatur Alley, he was ambushed and shot through the back, killing him instantly. The shooter was never identified. Patrolman Chapman had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-1F9585DB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Chapman gave the Cleveland Division of Police 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Chapman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter Chapman is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Chapman's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Chapman Compares
Offender Outcome
Case never solved
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Chapman is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Chapman was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
