Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Wahl was killed as he attempted to rescue people trapped in a burning house.
Patrolman Wahl was off-duty and asleep on the first floor of 324 44th Street in Brooklyn when he was awakened by a fire that was burning on the second floor. Patrolman Wahl exited his room and ran upstairs to the house's attic in an attempt to rescue his mother and nephew. When Patrolman Wahl reached the attic, his exit was blocked, and he could not escape. Patrolman Wahl, his mother, and nephew were all overcome by the smoke and fire and died at the scene.
Patrolman Wahl was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
Patrolman Wahl had served with the New York City Police Department for three months and was assigned to the Midtown South Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his sister and her two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-B3335815- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Walter. Claim this record.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wahl served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wahl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter Wahl is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Wahl's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Wahl Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Wahl is highlighted in May.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
