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Incident
Sergeant Walter Burgess was killed in an automobile crash on Cumberland Hill Road in Woonsocket while transporting an ill prisoner to Woonsocket Hospital. He and another trooper had arrested men and were transporting them to the state police barracks for questioning when one of the men passed out. They turned around and started responding to the hospital when a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction crossed the center line near Mendon Road and struck the patrol car head-on during a period of dense fog. Sergeant Burgess was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He had served with the Rhode Island State Police for just over 2 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Burgess gave the Rhode Island State Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Burgess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rhode Island State Police has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 23 officers lost to accidents in RI, 41.8% of the 55 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1959, 1 officer at Rhode Island State Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1959, 1 officer in RI was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1959, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1959, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 25. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Rhode Island State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 32; the middle age was 26. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Walter was 25. Of the 22 lost to accidents in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.3; the middle age was 34. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Walter was 25. 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. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths at Rhode Island State Police; June holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 20%.
November holds 13% of these deaths in RI; December holds the most, 21.7%. Saturdays: 21.7%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Rhode Island State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 41.8% of all 55 deaths in RI, 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
Rhode Island State Police has 7 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Rhode Island State Police are honored on badge.nw.
