Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Rogers was shot and killed when he tried to arrest a suspect that was holding two men at gunpoint near the intersection of Market Street and Main Street.
The man had been drinking all night when an off-duty patrolman approached. When that patrolman found that the suspect was armed, he confiscated the suspect's weapon and told the suspect to go home. The suspect became enraged and attacked the Patrolman, taking his gun back and disarming the officer. He then held two men at gunpoint. When Patrolman Rogers arrived on the scene he was shot and killed by the suspect.
The suspect was arrested, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.
Patrolman Rogers was a U.S Army veteran of the Civil war and had served with the Memphis Police Department for only one month.
The man had been drinking all night when an off-duty patrolman approached. When that patrolman found that the suspect was armed, he confiscated the suspect's weapon and told the suspect to go home. The suspect became enraged and attacked the Patrolman, taking his gun back and disarming the officer. He then held two men at gunpoint. When Patrolman Rogers arrived on the scene he was shot and killed by the suspect.
Rest in peace Patrolman Rogers.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis June 4th, 2022
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-66B4A18D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Walter. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Walter is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Rogers served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Walter M. Rogers served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Walter M. Rogers 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter M. Rogers's cause is highlighted.
How Walter M. Rogers Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter M. Rogers is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter M. Rogers was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Walter M. Rogers served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Walter M. Rogers’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
