Abraham Walton

Abraham Walton joined the New York City Police Department in June 1968 and was first assigned to the Tactical Patrol Force. He went on to serve in the 18, 32 and 77 Precincts and in the Crime Prevention Section before his final assignment to the Street Crime Unit. He received 33 departmental citations.

At about 4:15 a.m. on 14 July 1980, four gunmen walked into the Desire Club, a social club at 125-18 111th Avenue in the Richmond Hill section of Queens, about 15 blocks from Detective Walton's home. After ordering drinks, they drew guns, announced a robbery and ordered everyone to lie on the floor. Detective Walton, who was off duty, complied at first. When the men began taking the patrons' valuables and assaulted the bar manager while demanding the key to the cash register, he stood up and announced that he was a police officer. Gunfire was exchanged and he was hit several times. He died five hours later at Jamaica Hospital. The robbers fled with his revolver, wallet and shield.

Two men, Mottis Craig, 26, and Henry Robinson, 28, were arrested and on 30 March 1982 were convicted of felony murder, robbery and attempted robbery.

Detective Walton was 38 years old and had served 12 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. The Chief of Patrol called him one of the five best police officers he had ever worked with, a quiet man who was afraid of nothing. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on 11 June 1981. On 23 March 2016 the department named a Counterterrorism Bureau police dog, a yellow Labrador, "Abe" in his honor.

Detective Abraham Walton was shot and killed as he attempted to stop a robbery in progress while off-duty. Detective Walton was inside a social club when two suspects entered and ordered drinks. They then drew revolvers and announced a hold-up. The suspects ordered all the patrons to the ground and started to remove their money and jewelry. Detective Walton did not immediately identify himself. When the suspects began to beat one of the victims, Detective Walton drew his weapon and ordered the suspects to the ground. Detective Walton and the suspects exchanged gunfire, and Detective Walton was shot four times. The suspects then stole Detective Walton's revolver and fled the scene. Detective Walton was taken to the hospital, where he died from his wounds. Within a few days, both suspects, 25 and 27, were apprehended. On April 20, 1982, both were convicted of second-degree murder, attempted robbery, and sentenced to 25 years to life. Both suspects were granted a new trial in 1990. The oldest was convicted of manslaughter and released on January 14, 1991. The other suspect was also convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 6 to 12 years. He was also sentenced to 18 years for an unrelated robbery. Detective Walton served with the New York City Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the Street Crime Unit. He received 33 citations for outstanding service. He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters. NYPD K-9 Abe was named in his honor.