Oil City Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 24, 1928
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 18, 1928
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to five years
Sergeant Walter Powell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four months earlier when he was shot by a prisoner inside of the city jail.
The prisoner's wife had smuggled a handgun to him during a visit. The man then called Sergeant Powell over to the cell and shot him after the door was opened. He escaped from the jail but was recaptured several weeks later.
The man was sentenced to five years in prison for assault with intent to kill and escape prior to Sergeant Powell's death.
Sergeant Powell was survived by his wife and adopted daughter.