Roll of Honor
Incident
Game Warden Walter Krukow was shot and killed from ambush by a 17-year-old boy who was trout fishing on Boulder Creek north of Whiskeytown. The boy and a friend had gone to the area to trout fish before the season opened. The man dropped the boy off and then drove further up the creek to another spot. Game Warden Krukow gave the boy a warning and told him he was going to find the friend as well. The boy walked back to man's home, retrieved a .30-06 rifle, and then drove back to the creek. He located Game Warden Krukow and shot him from ambush as he walked along the creek. When he rejoined the man he told him that he had shot Game Warden Krukow so he would not arrest him. The man drove the boy to the sheriff's office and turned him in. On June 2, 1947, the boy was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life. He was to stay at the Lancaster State Reformatory until he was 25, and then to be transferred to an adult prison. He was paroled in July of 1948. On December 12th, 1972, he was booked in Washoe County, Nevada, for an investigation of three counts of arson. Game Warden Krukow had served with the agency for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-19BC4FED- 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.
Game Warden Krukow gave the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 10 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Krukow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Warden Walter K. Krukow 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter K. Krukow's cause is highlighted.
How Walter K. Krukow Compares
Offender Outcome
poacher
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter K. Krukow is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter K. Krukow was killed by rifle; .30-.06.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from California Department of Fish and Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
