Coral Gables Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 19, 1967
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 19, 1967
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Never identified
Police Officer Walter Stathers was shot and killed, possibly with his own weapon, while on patrol in an upscale neighborhood.
He had been assigned to the neighborhood for nine years and knew all of the residents. He had been on the lookout for a prowler throughout his shift and spotted him at 4:00 am. After requesting a canine unit, he became engaged in a struggle with the suspect, who then fatally shot him.
The suspect escaped and was never identified.
Officer Stathers was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Coral Gables Police Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and four siblings.