Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Leinberger was shot and killed while serving a burglary warrant on a man on Sutter Street in Bryte, current day West Sacramento. As Deputy Leinberger, who was accompanied by his wife, approached the cabin, a man burst out and opened fire, fatally wounding him. Deputy Leinberger's wife picked up his gun and fired at the suspect six times, striking him in the arm twice. The suspect was not the man Deputy Leinburger was attempting to arrest. Unknown to Deputy Leinberger, the shooter had evaded arrest for wounding another officer three years prior and was wanted by the FBI. He was later shot and killed in a shootout with Sacramento authorities. Deputy Leinberger was survived by his wife and son. In 1991, the county's new minimum security jail was named in Deputy Leinberger's honor.
Survivors
Deputy Leinberger was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CA-841311DD- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Leinberger served with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Woodland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Leinberger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Walter John Leinberger is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Yolo County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter John Leinberger's cause is highlighted.
How Walter John Leinberger Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter John Leinberger is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter John Leinberger was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Yolo County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
