Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Schroeder was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a bank at 9:20 a.m. at the intersection of Western Avenue and Everett Street in Allston-Brighton. The bank was being robbed by five members of a gang of anti-Vietnam War activists. As he exited his cruiser and walked towards the bank, a gang member who was across the street opened fire on him with a rifle, striking him in the back several times. Patrolman Schroeder was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Patrolman Schroeder's killer was the focus of the largest manhunt in New England's history. After stealing two cars and eluding police during two high-speed chases involving gunfire, he was captured. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on September 10, 2011. Three of the other gang members were all sentenced to prison but most are now freed. The fifth gang member, a woman, evaded capture, changed her name and lived in Oregon for 23 years. Suffering from depression, she surrendered to police in 1993. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison. She was released in 1999. Patrolman Schroeder was survived by his parents and five siblings. Patrolman Schroeder's brother, Detective John Schroeder, was shot and killed while working for the same agency on Nov. 30, 1973. Patrolman Walter Schroeder had been employed with the Boston Police Department for 19 years and is survived by his wife and nine children. The Boston Police Department, located at One Schroeder Plaza, is named in honor of both brothers who were killed in the line of duty.
Survivors
Patrolman Schroeder was survived by his parents and five siblings. Patrolman Walter Schroeder had been employed with the Boston Police Department for 19 years and is survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-F0DF2134- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Patrolman Schroeder gave the Boston Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roxbury Crossing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Schroeder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter A. Schroeder 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Boston Police Department, 45 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter A. Schroeder's cause is highlighted.
How Walter A. Schroeder Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter A. Schroeder is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter A. Schroeder was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Boston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
