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Incident
Officer Larry Walker was accidentally shot and killed by another officer who was struggling with a suspect attempting to stab him. The two officers had responded to a domestic violence call involving a man who had just been released from a state hospital. When the officers arrived, the man advanced on them with a knife and threatened to kill them. The suspect began to run towards Officer Walker's partner, who fired four shots at the man. As the partner retreated backward, he tripped, and the suspect began to attack him on the ground. The officer fired three more rounds, one of which struck Officer Walker in the abdomen, killing him. Officer Walker had served with the Tacoma Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrol Officer Walker gave the Tacoma Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tacoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tacoma Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Larry is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Larry is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larry is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1986, 1 officer at Tacoma Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1986, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1986, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1986, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Larry was 44. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Tacoma Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 45; the middle age was 44. Larry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Larry was 44. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 44. 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. Larry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Larry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Tacoma Police Department; November holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 20%.
October holds 6.3% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Saturdays: 15.3%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Tacoma Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Tacoma Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Larry among them.
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Minor Cudihee
Jul 30, 1892
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Lloyd M. Kincaid Oct 28, 1918
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William Wickman
Aug 9, 1925
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Paul Andrew Trent
Nov 23, 1941
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Martin J. Joyce
Nov 25, 1941
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Lief Ben Overdahl
Jan 22, 1957
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Larry Leland Frost
Sep 9, 1977
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Craig Alan Nollmeyer
Jan 24, 1985
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Larry W. Walker
Oct 25, 1986
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William Francis Lowry
Aug 28, 1997
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James Gordon Lewis
Apr 27, 2004
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Reginald Jake Gutierrez
Nov 30, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Tacoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
