Boston Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Thursday, September 24, 1970
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: 1035
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 24, 1970
Weapon Used: Rifle; M-1
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Patrolman Walter Schroeder was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a bank at 9:20 a.m. at the intersection of Western Avenue and Everett Street in Allston-Brighton.
The bank was being robbed by five members of a gang of anti-Vietnam War activists. As he exited his cruiser and walked towards the bank, a gang member who was across the street opened fire on him with a rifle, striking him in the back several times. Patrolman Schroeder was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Patrolman Schroeder's killer was the focus of the largest manhunt in New England's history. After stealing two cars and eluding police during two high-speed chases involving gunfire, he was captured. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on September 10, 2011. Three of the other gang members were all sentenced to prison but most are now freed.
The fifth gang member, a woman, evaded capture, changed her name and lived in Oregon for 23 years. Suffering from depression, she surrendered to police in 1993. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison. She was released in 1999.
Patrolman Schroeder was survived by his parents and five siblings.
Patrolman Schroeder's brother, Detective John Schroeder, was shot and killed while working for the same agency on Nov. 30, 1973. Patrolman Walter Schroeder had been employed with the Boston Police Department for 19 years and is survived by his wife and nine children.
The Boston Police Department, located at One Schroeder Plaza, is named in honor of both brothers who were killed in the line of duty.