Robert Edward Walters

San Francisco Police Department — San Francisco, CA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch September 26, 1952

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 88 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 105

Incident

Officer Robert Walters was shot and killed as he rushed into the scene of a robbery at the Personal Finance Company at Third and Market Streets. The suspect was fleeing towards the front door when Officer Walters entered. As Officer Walters threw the suspect to the ground the suspect drew a gun and shot him. Before collapsing, Officer Walters shot the suspect three times. A Special Officer rushed to assist Officer Walters and was shot in the arm while taking the suspect into custody. The suspect was rendered a paraplegic by one of Officer Walters shots. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On December 28, 1953, he died from an overdose of sleeping pills at the San Quentin Prison Hospital just twelve days before he was to have been executed. Officer Walters was a U.S. Navy veteran. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-AEA62B61
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 Robert. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Walters served with the San Francisco Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department San Francisco Police Department

Location San Francisco, CA

Platform Identity sfpd.sf.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 26, 1952

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Committed suicide in prison

Military Service

Robert Edward Walters served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Officer Robert Edward Walters 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 San Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.

San Francisco Police Department

of 106 officers

62.3% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious