Walter J. Mashburn
Agency patch
Patrolman

Walter J. Mashburn

Chattanooga Police Department — Chattanooga, TN
Felonious
End of Watch July 16, 1932
Age 31
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 537
The Vigil Panel 64 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Mashburn was shot and killed while responding to gunshots he heard while on patrol. As he rounded a corner he encountered a gunman and a running shootout took place. Patrolman Mashburn was struck several times in the lower body. He was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Patrolman Mashburn was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following evening. Patrolman Mashburn had been with the agency for three years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-5C02E5AB
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 Mashburn gave the Chattanooga Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mashburn.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Chattanooga, TN
Platform Identity cpd.hamilton.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 16, 1932
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 31
Badge Number 537
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Walter J. Mashburn 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 Chattanooga Police Department, 19 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.4% of this agency's fallen.

Chattanooga Police Department
19
of 27 officers
70.4% Felonious
TN — Statewide
498
of 769 officers
64.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter J. Mashburn's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Walter J. Mashburn Compares

Age at End of Watch
31
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter J. Mashburn is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter J. Mashburn was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518