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Incident
Detective Robert Walls died of wounds he received the previous month when he was shot while attempting to arrest three suspects committing a robbery. Sergeant Nathaniel Taylor was shot and killed in the same incident. Detective Walls and Sergeant Taylor were off-duty and patronizing the V & J Tavern on Seventh Street in Newark. Three masked men entered the bar and announced a robbery. When Sergeant Taylor attempted to intervene, he was shot and killed by one of the suspects. Detective Walls drew his weapon, but was also shot and seriously wounded by one of the suspects. He died 24 days later from his wounds. Two suspects, including the getaway car driver, were apprehended two days later and charged with murder. A third suspect was apprehended on June 17, 1986. All four, 17, 18, 18, and 21, were convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two consecutive 30 year terms. Two will be eligible for parole in 2045 and the other two will be eligible in 2046. Detective Walls had served with the Essex County Sheriff's Department for 27 years.
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27 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Walls gave the Essex County Sheriff's Office 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Walls.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Essex County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 4 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 54. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Robert was 54. 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. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.7% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Essex County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Essex County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Essex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
