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Incident
Patrol Officer Warren Walton succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous day when he attempted to stop a robbery at a hospital pharmacy. He was moonlighting as a security guard at the Mounds Park Hospital when the pharmacist called him and told him there were three men in ski masks nearby. As Officer Walton proceeded to the scene the men held the pharmacist at gunpoint and demanded Class A narcotics. As the pharmacist led the men to the drugs the elevator doors sounded. As Officer Walton stepped out of the opening doors one of the men opened fire, striking him twice in the head. Officer Walton was taken to a second hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. One suspect was apprehended a short time later and the other two were arrested two years later. All were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The gunman was released in 2015 but returned to prison after failing a drug test.
Survivors
Officer Walton had been with the agency for seven years and 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.
Patrol Officer Walton gave the Oakdale Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Walton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richard is the only officer of Oakdale Police Department remembered here.
Richard is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1982, 3 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 43. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Richard was 43. 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. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.2% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Mondays: 11%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Oakdale Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.1% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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