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Rufus William Walters
Incident
Guard Rufus Walters was shot and killed during an escape from the Floral City State Prison Road Camp at a work site on Rutland Road, approximately three miles east of Inverness.
A friend of two inmates had hidden a shotgun at the work site. At approximately 3:00 pm, as the two retrieved the shotgun, they were confronted by Guard Walters. One of the inmates fired at him, killing him instantly.
The two inmates then abducted a motorist and stole a car as they escaped. They fled to Dearborn, Michigan, where they were stopped by police on August 6th, 1938. The subject who shot Guard Walters resisted arrest and was shot and killed by Dearborn police. The other inmate was arrested and extradited back to Florida where he was convicted of murdering Guard Walters. On June 4th, 1946, the inmate was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the Florida State Prison.
Guard Walters had served with the Florida State Convict Road Force for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, one grandchild, mother, and brother.
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.
Guard Walters gave the Florida State Road Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Walters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Rufus is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus 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 1938, 1 officer at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1953, with 2.
In 1938, 5 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rufus was 52. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force whose age is recorded, half were between 54 and 59; the middle age was 56. Rufus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Rufus was 52. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Rufus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Rufus was 52. 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. Rufus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rufus was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rufus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force; August holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 33.3%.
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% 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
Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force has 6 officers remembered here, Rufus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
