Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Langley was struck and killed by a drunk driver while investigating a car parked on the side of Route 140 at 1:15 a.m. The driver who struck him was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous driving, failure to yield to a pedestrian, and marijuana possession. The 32-year-old driver was released after signing a written promise to appear in court. It was later determined that the car parked on the side of the road had been driven by a drunk driver. That driver was also arrested and charged with driving under the influence. Patrolman Langley was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart. He had served with the Mansfield Police Department for 8 years and had previously served with the Kingston Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-017B10DE- 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 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.
Patrolman Langley gave the Mansfield Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mansfield 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Walter P. Langley served in the Army (1967â1970) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Walter P. Langley 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter P. Langley's cause is highlighted.
How Walter P. Langley Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with vehicular homicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter P. Langley is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter P. Langley was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.