Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Walter DeWitt died from complications of surgery to correct a shoulder injury he suffered in a training accident on October 27th, 2014.
He had initially injured the shoulder in an on-duty vehicle crash on November 19th, 1984. The shoulder was re-injured in 2014 during a tactical training exercise. A recruit had stepped on his foot, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor. His shoulder injury was aggravated and required a follow-up surgery. He died from complications of the surgery.
Officer DeWitt had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 33 years.
Such a tragedy. You are a true inspiration because of your service and dedication. You are such a good man. Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten
Jerry Fellow citizen June 5th, 2023
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-6818CFE9- 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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer DeWitt gave the Philadelphia Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer DeWitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Walter John DeWitt, III is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 417 of 1,261 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 110 of 378 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 29.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter John DeWitt, III's cause is highlighted.
How Walter John DeWitt, III Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Walter John DeWitt, III is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
