Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Holcomb died as a result of contracting Spanish influenza. At the time he contracted the disease he was transporting a flu victim to the hospital. The virus was part of a worldwide epidemic at the time. Patrolman Holcomb had served with the agency for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children. One of his brothers also served with the agency. Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job. The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen. Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-4EEFAE7F- 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 Holcomb gave the San Diego Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Holcomb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter B. Holcomb is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 75 of 1,837 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 4.1% of this state's fallen. That is 5 percentage points below the national rate of 9.1%.
At San Diego Police Dept., 1 of 38 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 2.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter B. Holcomb's cause is highlighted.
How Walter B. Holcomb Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. Walter B. Holcomb is highlighted in Oct.
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
