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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Leinberger was shot and killed while serving a burglary warrant on a man on Sutter Street in Bryte, current day West Sacramento. As Deputy Leinberger, who was accompanied by his wife, approached the cabin, a man burst out and opened fire, fatally wounding him. Deputy Leinberger's wife picked up his gun and fired at the suspect six times, striking him in the arm twice. The suspect was not the man Deputy Leinburger was attempting to arrest. Unknown to Deputy Leinberger, the shooter had evaded arrest for wounding another officer three years prior and was wanted by the FBI. He was later shot and killed in a shootout with Sacramento authorities. Deputy Leinberger was survived by his wife and son. In 1991, the county's new minimum security jail was named in Deputy Leinberger's honor.
Survivors
Deputy Leinberger was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Leinberger served with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Woodland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Leinberger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yolo County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1943, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 53. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Walter was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Walter was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Yolo County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Yolo County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Yolo County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
