Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Monday, December 10, 1973
Add to My HeroesWalter Lee Peterson
Captain Walter Peterson was beaten to death with a chair after being attacked by four inmates in the exercise room at Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh. He had just been promoted to captain three hours before the attack.
One of the suspects was in prison for murdering Officer Joseph Zanella, of the Verona Police Department, on September 19th, 1969. He hanged himself in his cell on December 6th, 1978.
Two inmates were convicted of first-degree murder and got a life term added to their sentences. One had recently stabbed a fellow inmate to death. As of 2017, he had been in solitary confinement for 47 years, longer than any other inmate in Pennsylvania prison history. Another one was in prison for murdering two women near Bedford. He died in prison in 2001. The fourth inmate turned state evidence on the others and was acquitted.
Captain Peterson was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He had served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 15 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Weapon Blunt object; Chair
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsCapt. Peterson,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
December 10, 2023
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