Prev
Incident
Officer Rappolee and Officer Robert Fellows were crushed to death when a wall fell onto their patrol car. A large fire had destroyed a section of downtown Wichita Falls and the two officers were sitting in their patrol car in front of one of the damaged buildings when the wall collapsed and landed on top of the car. Officer Rappolee had served with the Wichita Falls Police Department for just over 2 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtppdjbvjyf8q694nb523- 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.
Officer Rappolee gave the Wichita Falls Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rappolee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wichita Falls Police Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 23. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 23. 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 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Wichita Falls Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wichita Falls Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Wichita Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
