Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Walker succumbed to injuries sustained on March 16th, 1886, when he was assaulted with an axe in Walpole, New Hampshire.
He had been sent to Walpole to assist a woman with removing her belongings from her home during divorce proceedings. The husband was cooperating until Deputy Walker unintentionally removed a box that the husband did not want removed from the home. The subject became agitated and attacked Deputy Walker with an axe, striking him in the temple and arm, and causing severe injuries.
Deputy Walker was taken to his home where the condition continued to worsen. He died as the result of blood poisoning and Typhoid fever on April 22nd, 1886.
The man who attacked him plead guilty to manslaughter. He attempted to commit suicide while in jail but recovered and served 12 years in prison.
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife and one child.
Survivors
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Walker served with the Cheshire County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Keene community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Stratton Walker, Sr. is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In NH, 23 of 59 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39% of this state's fallen. That is 14.9 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Stratton Walker, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Stratton Walker, Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Stratton Walker, Sr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Stratton Walker, Sr. was killed by edged weapon; axe.