Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, July 22, 1938
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 22, 1938
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Guard Rufus Walters was shot and killed during an escape from the Floral City State Prison Road Camp at a work site on Rutland Road, approximately three miles east of Inverness.
A friend of two inmates had hidden a shotgun at the work site. At approximately 3:00 pm, as the two retrieved the shotgun, they were confronted by Guard Walters. One of the inmates fired at him, killing him instantly.
The two inmates then abducted a motorist and stole a car as they escaped. They fled to Dearborn, Michigan, where they were stopped by police on August 6th, 1938. The subject who shot Guard Walters resisted arrest and was shot and killed by Dearborn police. The other inmate was arrested and extradited back to Florida where he was convicted of murdering Guard Walters. On June 4th, 1946, the inmate was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the Florida State Prison.
Guard Walters had served with the Florida State Convict Road Force for eight years. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, one grandchild, mother, and brother.