Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walker was shot and killed when he and his partner, Sergeant Thomas Kearney, were investigating the burglary of a radio store. Three officers were assigned to radio patrol duty in a patrol car in downtown Bridgeport when, at approximately 0020 hours, they received a report of a burglary at a radio store. Not far from the scene of the burglary, Sergeant Kearney and Patrolman Walker located a man walking with a radio in his hand. When the officers exited their vehicle to question the suspect, the suspect turned with a revolver in his hand and fired two shots, striking both officers. Backup officers arrived and pursued the suspect, but he escaped. The suspect was later apprehended and charged with murder. He was tried, convicted, and executed on April 12, 1938, at the Wethersfield State Prison. Patrolman Walker died from his wound. Sergeant Kearney was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital, where he died two days later from his wounds. Patrolman Walker had served with the Bridgeport Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-1789075D- 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.
Patrolman Walker gave the Bridgeport Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgeport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Wilford Walker 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bridgeport Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wilford Walker's cause is highlighted.
How Wilford Walker Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1938
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilford Walker is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilford Walker was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Bridgeport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
