Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Walter Powell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four months earlier when he was shot by a prisoner inside of the city jail.
The prisoner's wife had smuggled a handgun to him during a visit. The man then called Sergeant Powell over to the cell and shot him after the door was opened. He escaped from the jail but was recaptured several weeks later.
The man was sentenced to five years in prison for assault with intent to kill and escape prior to Sergeant Powell's death.
Sergeant Powell was survived by his wife and adopted daughter.
Survivors
Sergeant Powell was survived by his wife and adopted daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-7F9D0DDB- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sergeant Powell served with the Oil City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oil City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Powell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Walter Allen Powell 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Allen Powell's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Allen Powell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to five years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Allen Powell is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Allen Powell was killed by handgun.