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
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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 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Walter M. Rogers 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 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 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years
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
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
