Roll of Honor
Joseph A. Walker
Incident
Operative Joseph Walker was shot and killed while he, another agent, and two Department of Interior engineers investigated a case of land fraud in a mine shaft at the Hesperus mine, west of Durango, Colorado. While the other three men were inside of a mine, Operative Walker was shot in the back with a rifle. Two suspects were arrested but were acquitted by a jury who feared retribution against them. Operative Walker was the first Special Agent in Charge of the Denver office and had previously served on President Grover Cleveland's protective detail. He had served with the United States Secret Service for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-8B50198C- 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 Joseph. 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.
Operative Walker gave the United States Department of the Treasury 19 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Operative Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Operative Joseph A. 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Secret Service, 9 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 34.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph A. Walker's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph A. Walker Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted of charges
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph A. Walker is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph A. Walker was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Secret Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
