New York Metropolitan Police Force, New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 15, 1865
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 15, 1865
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Found guilty
Patrolman Thomas Walker was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a woman's cry for help at 95 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. A group of men had just raped the woman. Patrolman Walker and his partner approached the locked door and Patrolman Walker called out to the suspects "We are Officers, you villains! What are you doing to this woman?"
Patrolman Walker's partner then attempted to pull the door open, but at the same time some of the suspects pushed the door open and ran. One suspect, still inside the building fired out the open door, killing Patrolman Walker. The suspect then fled on foot with Patrolman Walker's partner in pursuit. Patrolman Walker's partner fired three times at the fleeing suspects before his revolver jammed. While on Sixteenth Street, about 150 feet east of Seventh Avenue, the suspect threw down his hat and coat and hid behind a tree-box.
The suspect was arrested by Patrolman Walker's partner, and a coroner's inquest found that the apprehended suspect was responsible for firing the fatal shot at Patrolman Walker. The other eight suspects escaped but were arrested as accomplices to Patrolman Walker's murder. The shooter was found guilty of manslaughter in the Court of General Sessions on December 18th, 1865.
Patrolman Walker was assigned to the 29th Precinct and was survived by his wife and young daughter.