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Incident
Chief Walter Braswell had served forty years in law enforcement. He came out of retirement just two months before his death — answering the call one last time to serve as temporary chief while Fremont searched for a permanent replacement. He was 69 years old.
On November 13, 1965, Chief Braswell responded to a domestic disturbance and arrested a couple. While transferring them to a jail cell at the police department, the male suspect seized the Chief's own weapon and shot him. The suspects locked him inside the cell, where he died from his wounds.
Both suspects were apprehended and charged with murder. The male suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to thirty years. He was paroled in 1986. In the years that followed, he was imprisoned twice more for assault, and in 1993 was convicted of a second murder in Wake County — sentenced to twenty more years. He died in prison on January 20, 2002.
Chief Braswell was survived by his wife and children. He gave forty years to the badge, and gave his life in service on what should have been a routine transfer. badge.nw honors him permanently.
Survivors
Chief Braswell was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
40 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Braswell gave the Fremont Police Department 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fremont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Braswell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walter is the only officer of Fremont Police Department remembered here.
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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1965, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1965, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1965, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 69. 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 40 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 69. 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 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 69. 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 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fremont Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fremont Police Department are honored on badge.nw.