Erie Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Saturday, November 26, 1949
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 18, 1949
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed
Sergeant Leo Waldinger and Patrolman Walter May were shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a hostage taker at the G. Daniel Baldwin Building at 10th and State Streets.
An irate WWII veteran had taken a US Veterans Administration director hostage at the location. Sergeant Waldinger, who was off duty but responded to the call anyway, and Patrolman May arrived at the scene at the same time and attempted to persuade the suspect to release the hostage. When the officers saw an opening, they attempted to rush the suspect but were both shot and fatally wounded. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries several days later.
The suspect was apprehended and committed to a mental hospital. He died at age 65 on December 16, 1986, at Warren State Hospital.
Sergeant Waldinger was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Erie Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and children.