Walter Wahl
Agency patch
Patrolman

Walter Wahl

Accident
End of Watch May 23, 1927
Age 22
Tour of Duty 3 mo
The Vigil Panel 53 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Walter Wahl was killed as he attempted to rescue people trapped in a burning house.

Patrolman Wahl was off-duty and asleep on the first floor of 324 44th Street in Brooklyn when he was awakened by a fire that was burning on the second floor. Patrolman Wahl exited his room and ran upstairs to the house's attic in an attempt to rescue his mother and nephew. When Patrolman Wahl reached the attic, his exit was blocked, and he could not escape. Patrolman Wahl, his mother, and nephew were all overcome by the smoke and fire and died at the scene.

Patrolman Wahl was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.

Patrolman Wahl had served with the New York City Police Department for three months and was assigned to the Midtown South Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his sister and her two 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 Wahl served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wahl.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1927
Tour of Duty 3 mo
Age 22
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1927, 114 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Walter was 22. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Walter among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Walter Wahl

New York City Police Department · End of Watch May 23, 1927

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E

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