Prev
Incident
Sergeant Cox was killed when his patrol car was struck by a train at a crossing in northern Idaho. It is not known why Sergeant Cox failed to see the train approaching.
Survivors
Sergeant Cox had been with tha agency for 19 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpcky0zbgj7j4x2vz78k- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Walter. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Cox gave the Idaho State Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Idaho. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Idaho State Police has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 21 officers lost to accidents in ID, 29.6% of the 71 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer in ID was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1970, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1970, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 48. Of the 19 lost to accidents in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 58; the middle age was 49. Walter had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 48. 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 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 48. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 19% of these deaths in ID; May holds the most, 23.8%. Fridays: 9.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Idaho State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 71 deaths in ID, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Idaho State Police has 4 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Idaho State Police are honored on badge.nw.
