Walter Demitrie Ilyankoff

Fort Lauderdale Police Dept. — Fort Lauderdale, FL

Felonious

End of Watch July 21, 1974

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 114 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Patrolman Walter Ilyankoff was shot and killed after responding to a robbery alarm at a Red Lobster restaurant on a Sunday morning at 5950 North Federal Highway. Suspecting a false alarm, he knocked on the rear door expecting the kitchen staff to answer. Instead, one of the suspects opened the door and shot him. He was able to call for assistance on his radio before succumbing to his wounds. Prior to Patrolman Ilyankoff's arrival, one of the suspects had raped one of the waitresses during the robbery. The woman was able to identify the suspect and testified against him at the trial. Her testimony contributed to his conviction and death sentence. The suspect died in prison while awaiting execution. The other three suspects were convicted and are still serving prison sentences. Patrolman Ilyankoff had served with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for 14 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-50E623F3
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 Ilyankoff gave the Fort Lauderdale Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ilyankoff.

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

Agency

Department Fort Lauderdale Police Dept.

Location Fort Lauderdale, FL

Platform Identity flpd.broward.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 21, 1974

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Died in prison

Patrolman Walter Demitrie Ilyankoff 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Fort Lauderdale Police Dept., 3 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.1% of this agency's fallen.

Fort Lauderdale Police Dept.

of 13 officers

23.1% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious