Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Walton was shot and killed while investigating reports of an assault in a home on Morris Avenue, between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. A man who had been in the home located Officer Walton at his post on First Avenue and told him he had been assaulted. Officer Walton went to the home, knocked on the door, and announced himself. The suspect opened the door and immediately fired two shots, striking Officer Walton in the chest twice. The man was arrested by responding officers and charged with Officer Walton's murder. He was sentenced to death an executed by hanging on March 12, 1903. Officer Walton had served with the Birmingham Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-9FD5D697- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. 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.
Police Officer Walton gave the Birmingham Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Birmingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Walton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William P. Walton 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Birmingham Police Department, 34 of 49 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William P. Walton's cause is highlighted.
How William P. Walton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William P. Walton is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William P. Walton was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
48 officers from Birmingham Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
