Incident
Corporal Walter Wood was shot and killed when he interrupted two subjects burglarizing a billiards hall at 723-1/2 Edmond Street at about 4:30 am. He was walking to meet two other officers at the intersection of 8th Street and Felix Street when he encountered the two men standing at the 8th Street entrance to the billiards hall. The men opened fire on him without warning, fatally wounding him. Corporal Wood had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for two years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-87189960- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Wood gave the St. Joseph Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Walter A. Wood 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Joseph Police Department, 7 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter A. Wood's cause is highlighted.
How Walter A. Wood Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter A. Wood is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter A. Wood was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









