Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Bosscawen succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 9 days earlier when he was shot by one of three men who were burglarizing a local business with the intent of blowing open its safe. Patrolman Bosscawen had been lying in wait inside the business after receiving a tip that it was the target of thieves. When the thieves were inside of the business they encountered Patrolman Bosscawen, who told them to freeze. One of the men opened fire on him with a revolver, striking him once. He returned fire and struck the gunman twice in the leg. All three suspects were apprehended and charged with first degree murder. The gunman, 20 years old, and one of his accomplices was convicted of murder on November 13, 1915, and sentenced to life in the Ohio Pentitentiary. A month later the other suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a indeterminate term in the Mansfield Reformatory. On December 1, 1939, after 24 years in prison the gunman was paroled. On May 23, 1948, he shot and seriously wounded a Canton, Ohio Police Officer who attempted to arrest him for breaking into a hardware store. On October 5, 1948 he was convicted of attempted murder of a police officer and returned to prison to serve 1 to 20 years.
Survivors
Patrolman Bosscawen was survived by his wife, son, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-E30A3A12- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Walter. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bosscawen served with the Newark Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bosscawen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter Bosscawen 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Newark Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Bosscawen's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Bosscawen Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1939
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Bosscawen is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Bosscawen was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Newark Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
