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Walter M. Gilbert
Agency patch
Special Agent

Walter M. Gilbert

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition — Washington, DC
Felonious
United States flag District of Columbia flag
End of Watch July 22, 1931
Age 40
The Vigil Panel 62 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 34

Incident

Special Agent Walter Gilbert and Special Agent John Wilson were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man during an undercover operation in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The agents had arranged with the man to meet at a bridge at 8:00 pm for the delivery of liquor. When the suspect arrived he suspected he was being setup and opened fire, striking Agent Wilson four times and killing him instantly. Agent Gilbert was struck once in the back and succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital. The suspect was also shot and wounded and taken into custody one hour later. The suspect, 35, was charged with two counts of murder. He had been released from Leavenworth six months earlier after serving 15 months for violating the prohibition act. He was to be tried for each agent separately; Agent Gilbert first. He claimed both agents fired first. His attorney claimed entrapment. On November 18, 1931, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced from 2 to 19 years. He was never tried for Agent Wilson's murder. He was paroled on November 30, 1934.

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Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Gilbert served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Gilbert.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition
Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdjbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 22, 1931
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

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

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Walter was 40. 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.

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

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition has 35 officers remembered here, Walter among them.

Across the years

Special Agent Walter M. Gilbert

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition · End of Watch July 22, 1931

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E

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