Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Akers was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man at the Parker train depot. The man had not been allowed to board the train because he was drunk. The man left the depot, returned with a shotgun, and threatened the conductor, who then called the police. Deputy Akers and the Parker marshal responded to the scene. The subject shot and killed Deputy Akers as he attempted to talk the man into putting the shotgun down. The man was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life imprisonment, and died in prison.
Survivors
Deputy Akers was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-0A21688B- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Akers gave the Yuma County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yuma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Akers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Walter Henry Akers 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 AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Yuma County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Henry Akers's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Henry Akers Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Henry Akers is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Henry Akers was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yuma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
