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Incident
Corporal Walter Wood was shot and killed when he interrupted two subjects burglarizing a billiards hall at 723-1/2 Edmond Street at about 4:30 am. He was walking to meet two other officers at the intersection of 8th Street and Felix Street when he encountered the two men standing at the 8th Street entrance to the billiards hall. The men opened fire on him without warning, fatally wounding him. Corporal Wood had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for two years.
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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.
Corporal Wood gave the St. Joseph Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Joseph Police Department has lost 13 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 1 officer at St. Joseph Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 1926, 7 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 44. Of the 7 killed feloniously at St. Joseph Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45.5; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Walter was 44. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 44. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 44. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 14.3% of these deaths at St. Joseph Police Department; October holds the most, 42.9%. Sundays: 14.3%.
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.8% of all 13 deaths at St. Joseph Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 71.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Joseph Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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James H. Killion Jun 14, 1917
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Charles Hensley May 14, 1919
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Albert Marsh Hall
Oct 26, 1921
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Thomas A. Johnson
Oct 27, 1921
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John H. House
Jul 28, 1922
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John F. Less
Oct 22, 1923
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Walter A. Wood
Apr 4, 1926
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Sherman Brooks Winder
Sep 13, 1940
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Alva N. Mead
Mar 18, 1944
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Aloysius L. Wisniewski
Sep 16, 1961
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John William Duty
Sep 15, 1991
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Bradley Thomas Arn
Nov 10, 1998
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Dan D. De Kraai
Sep 15, 2010
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
