Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter McEwen was shot and killed when he tried to arrest an armed suspect. At approximately 11:00 am, Patrolman McEwen was walking his beat on Calhoun Street when he observed a suspect armed with a gun. As Patrolman McEwen approached the suspect the man fled on foot. Patrolman McEwen caught the suspect and a struggle ensued, but the man broke loose and again fled on foot. Patrolman McEwen drew his pistol and pursued the suspect again. When the suspect turned down a dead-end alley behind 512 St. Martin Street, he attempted to climb a fence. Patrolman McEwen tried to pull the suspect down from the fence, striking the suspect several times with his drawn pistol. A struggle again ensued, and the suspect was able to overpower Patrolman McEwen and gained control of his pistol. The suspect fired two shots, hitting Patrolman McEwen in the eye with one shot, killing him. The suspect then fled and was never identified or apprehended.
Survivors
Patrolman McEwen was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-03F0A2D6- 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.
Patrolman McEwen served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McEwen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Walter H. McEwen 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter H. McEwen's cause is highlighted.
How Walter H. McEwen Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter H. McEwen is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter H. McEwen was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
