Walter Oliver DeCastillia

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 15, 1930

Age 34

Badge 10115

The Vigil Panel 59 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Walter DeCastillia was shot and killed during a payroll robbery in progress at a shoe factory on 35 York Street in Brooklyn. Patrolman DeCastilla was killed by one of four robbers who escaped. His killer was later arrested but released due to insufficient evidence. One hour after he was released, the factory payroll clerk positively identified him as the killer, but he was never re-arrested. Several weeks later, the suspect, the notorious mobster, shot another policeman and a 6-year-old little girl during another robbery. The suspect spent the remainder of the 1930s in prison. He was later released from prison and was killed by rival mobsters in 1979. Patrolman DeCastillia was assigned to the 84th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-290440EA
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman DeCastillia served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman DeCastillia.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 15, 1930

Age 34

Badge Number 10115

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender Never indicted

Patrolman Walter Oliver DeCastillia 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious