Kentucky State Police, Kentucky
End of Watch: Friday, September 29, 1972
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 393
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: September 29, 1972
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Trooper Walter Thurtell died in a motorcycle crash while responding to a call for assistance at 8:50 p.m.
Trooper Thurtell was traveling south on U.S. 431 in heavy rain when a vehicle traveling north struck him.
Trooper Thurtell was a United States Korean War Navy veteran and had served with the Kentucky State Police for 15 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.