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Walter H. McEwen
Agency patch
Patrolman

Walter H. McEwen

Memphis Police Department — Memphis, TN
Felonious
United States flag Tennessee flag
End of Watch December 30, 1929
Age 40
Badge 82
The Vigil Panel 132 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 93

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

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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.
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

Department Memphis Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Memphis, Shelby County, TN
Platform Identity mpd.shelby.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 30, 1929
Age 40
Badge Number 82
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Walter was 40. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Memphis Police Department has 94 officers remembered here, Walter among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Walter H. McEwen

Memphis Police Department · End of Watch December 30, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W

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