Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Rouse was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped a vehicle following an armed robbery at the Goldsboro Holliday Inn. One of three suspects opened fire during the stop, mortally wounding Patrolman Rouse, and seriously wounding his partner. The suspects were arrested the next day. The shooter was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison July 30, 1968. He was paroled November 24, 1981. Patrolman Rouse had been with the agency for only 15 months.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-A9B3C7F4- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Rouse gave the Goldsboro Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Goldsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rouse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter J. Rouse 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Goldsboro Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter J. Rouse's cause is highlighted.
How Walter J. Rouse Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1981
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter J. Rouse is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter J. Rouse was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Goldsboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
