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Incident
Patrolman Rouse was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped a vehicle following an armed robbery at the Goldsboro Holliday Inn. One of three suspects opened fire during the stop, mortally wounding Patrolman Rouse, and seriously wounding his partner. The suspects were arrested the next day. The shooter was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison July 30, 1968. He was paroled November 24, 1981. Patrolman Rouse had been with the agency for only 15 months.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Rouse gave the Goldsboro Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Goldsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rouse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Goldsboro Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 26. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Walter had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 26. 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. Walter had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Goldsboro Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Goldsboro Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Goldsboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
