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Incident
Detective Walter Starrett was shot and killed when he encountered a suspicious individual in the freight yard at Mitchell, Indiana. The 30-year-old shooter said he was walking through the freight yard to his nearby home when he came upon a long freight train that had stopped. He decided to crawl through a boxcar to the other side instead of taking a long walk around the train. He said he needed to get home quickly because he had medicine that his young daughter required as soon as possible. As he entered the boxcar, a man yelled at him and then started shooting. He then chased him, shooting at him as he ran. When hit by a bullet in his hip, he pulled his own revolver and shot at the man until he dropped. He then crawled to his home. The suspect was charged with murder, but there is no further information. Detective Starrett had served with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department for four years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Starrett gave the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Starrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has lost 22 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 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 1917, 1 officer at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 3.
In 1917, 1 officer in MD was killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 34. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5. Walter had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Walter was 34. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Walter had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Walter was 34. 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 had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 15.4% of these deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department; August holds the most, 23.1%. Mondays: 7.7%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Mondays: 16.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 59.1% of all 22 deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.7% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Thomas Madden Nov 14, 1911
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Elijah Newton Boileau Feb 24, 1915
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Walter Starrett
Dec 24, 1917
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George C. Slavens
Apr 30, 1919
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Alonzo C. Speece Aug 23, 1919
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Lawrance Joseph Beers
Dec 11, 1919
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Benjamin Kohut Apr 15, 1920
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John D. Earle
Oct 5, 1920
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Thomas C. Barnard
Jun 1, 1921
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William Lynn Freeland Aug 18, 1921
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John P. Archer Jan 19, 1922
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Earl Shull
Apr 10, 1922
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John W. Morley Apr 16, 1922
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John W. Foy Apr 29, 1922
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Harry A. Malone Aug 16, 1925
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Urmson Leroy Strayer Jul 8, 1927
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Alfred Knight
Sep 15, 1927
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Horace C. Williams Oct 11, 1930
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Joseph L. O'Brien
Oct 30, 1932
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Lloyd C. Utz Sep 7, 1934
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Albert A. Sutter
Feb 8, 1950
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Dexter B. Snow May 27, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
