Walter Henry Kesterson

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch February 4, 1946

Age 51

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

The Vigil Panel 82 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 239

Incident

Policeman Walter Kesterson was shot and killed by two suspects after he and his partner responded to a robbery call. Both suspects were shot and killed by Policeman Kesterson after he was shot. The two men were wanted for the January 31, 1946, murder of Officer Richard Pennington, of the Vernon Police Department. Officer Pennington was shot and killed after arresting the two men for leading him on a vehicle chase. Policeman Kesterson was posthumously awarded the department's Medal of Valor award in 2007.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-FA7F2F51
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 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.
Policeman Kesterson gave the Los Angeles Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Police Department

Location Los Angeles, CA

Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 4, 1946

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Shot and killed

Military Service

Walter Henry Kesterson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Policeman Walter Henry Kesterson 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 Los Angeles Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles Police Department

115

of 240 officers

47.9% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious