Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Thursday, September 11, 1980
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 11, 1980
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Ivan Walker was shot and killed with his own service revolver while attempting to arrest a man for disorderly conduct at the authority's Plymouth Hall at 2201 West Venango Street.
The man began to struggle with Officer Walker inside the building's lobby. The struggle moved outside where the man was able to disarm Officer Walker, and then shot him with another weapon. A warrant officer with the Philadelphia Common Please Court happened to be across the street shot the suspect as he fled.
He was later taken into custody and charged with murder, robbery, and weapons offenses after he sought treatment for the gunshot wound. The 39-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Walker had served with the Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.