Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ben Walker was shot and killed while he and his partner were escorting three prisoners to a dentist's office in Flint. Two of the prisoners were handcuffed together awaiting their turn. As Deputy Walker unlocked the handcuffs to take one of them to the exam room the two prisoners attacked him. During the scuffle, the third prisoner went out the door with the other deputy in pursuit. One of the two attacking prisoners was able to take control of Deputy Walker's gun and shot the other deputy through a glass door as he was taking the third prisoner into custody at gunpoint. The prisoner who shot the deputy then took his revolver as well and shot Deputy Walker as he attempted to access his backup weapon. The two attacking prisoners escaped as the third prisoner called the sheriff's office to report the incident. One of the prisoners was captured in a house at 3406 North Street, one block from the dentist office. The two escapees were apprehended and one was subsequently killed in prison during another escape attempt. The second suspect was sentenced to life in prison. The wounded deputy recovered from his wounds. Deputy Walker had served with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-6B3CA3DE- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Walker gave the Genesee County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Flint community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ben Ray 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Genesee County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ben Ray Walker's cause is highlighted.
How Ben Ray Walker Compares
Offender Outcome
One killed in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ben Ray Walker is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ben Ray Walker was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Genesee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
