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Incident
Sergeant Walter Connell suffered a fatal heart attack after being taken hostage by a suspect. He and another detective had gone to a person's house while investigating a series of armed robberies. The person supposedly had information about the suspect. When they knocked on the door, it was answered by the suspect, who was holding a handgun. The suspect took both officers hostage and bound their hands and feet with handcuffs and electrical tape. The suspect then fled the scene. Sergeant Connell was able to crawl to a phone and call dispatchers to report their situation. He then collapsed on the floor as he suffered a major heart attack brought on by the stress of the situation. Sergeant Connell had been with the department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Detective Sergeant Connell gave the Longview Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Longview community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Connell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Longview Police Department has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Walter is one of 88 officers lost to cardiac events in TX, 3.6% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Walter is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 1 officer in TX was lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1978, with 4.
In 1971, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1971, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Walter was 55. Of the 84 lost to cardiac events in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 57; the middle age was 50. Walter had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Walter was 55. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Walter had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Walter was 55. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Walter had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in TX; October holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 21.6%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Longview Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Longview Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Longview Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
