Prohibition Officer Ernest W. Walker
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, March 5, 1921

Biographical Info
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, March 2, 1921
Incident Location: Texas
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Officer Walker succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier as he and a group of federal agents and provost guards searched for a cache of hidden liquor in El Paso, Texas. Two local deputies had encountered several smugglers earlier in the day and pursued them across the border. The deputies returned to the station and informed the prohibition officers of the encounter.

When the prohibition officers arrived at the scene they encountered the smugglers, who had returned with reinforcement in an attempt to move the liquor back into Mexico. A shootout ensued that lasted 2 hours and Officer Walker was wounded in the abdomen. He was taken to a local hotel where he died three days later.

Officer Walker had served with the agency for 18 months and was survived by his wife, son, parents, and four brothers. He was buried in Fort Worth, Texas.