Walter H. Weiss

Joliet Police Department — Joliet, IL

Felonious

End of Watch April 7, 1924

Age 31

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 24

The Vigil Panel 46 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Sergeant Walter H. Weiss died of gunshot wounds suffered in an attack when he was on foot patrol. On April 7, 1924, Sergeant Weiss, along with two detectives, were patrolling the "bad lands" of North Scott Street, which was a thoroughfare lined with "soft drink" parlors and pool halls. Two suspects were loitering when they were approached by officers. The assailants then demanded a cigarette from the officers, who quickly ordered them to keep moving. The shooter turned, pulled a revolver, and opened fire on the officers. The first bullet struck Sergeant Weiss. Although mortally wounded, Officer Weiss pulled his revolver and returned fire at the fleeing offenders. One subject was captured immediately, and the second was taken into custody approximately one hour later, confessing to the shooting, and he was subsequently sentenced to death by hanging on October 31, 1924. The death of Sergeant Weiss struck the Joliet community. Over $5,000 was received from businesses, doctors, lawyers, newsboys, and many small children. The money was given to his widow and two small children, and the officers of the Department paid out of their pockets for his funeral so his widow would not have to bear the expense. Sergeant Weiss had served with the Joliet Police Department for 2 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-426CEF7A
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.
Sergeant Weiss gave the Joliet Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Weiss.

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

Agency

Department Joliet Police Department

Location Joliet, IL

Platform Identity jpd.will.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 7, 1924

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 31

Badge Number 24

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Executed October 31, 1924

Sergeant Walter H. Weiss 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Joliet Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Joliet Police Department

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious