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Federal Prohibition Agent

Walter Red Tolbert

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition — Washington, DC
Felonious
United States flag District of Columbia flag
End of Watch February 22, 1928
Age 26
Tour of Duty 9 mo
The Vigil Panel 124 · Column 3 · Line 21 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 36

Incident

Prohibition Agent Walter Tolbert was shot and killed following a raid of a still five miles south of Harlem, Georgia. As he and two county officers approached the still they were spotted by several suspects, who fled the scene. After the agents destroyed the still and headed back to their vehicle they were ambushed by the suspects who had fled the still. Agent Tolbert was struck in the heart and killed instantly. Six suspects were arrested and one of them confessed to shooting Agent Tolbert. The suspect was later sentenced to death and executed.

Survivors

Agent Tolbert was survived by his finacee, father, six brothers, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Federal Prohibition Agent Tolbert served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Federal Prohibition Agent Tolbert.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition
Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdtirsbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 22, 1928
Tour of Duty 9 mo
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Walter is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Walter was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

February holds 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition has 37 officers remembered here, Walter among them.

Across the years

Federal Prohibition Agent Walter Red Tolbert

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition · End of Watch February 22, 1928

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W

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