Longview Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Thursday, May 27, 1971
Age: 55
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: May 27, 1971
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Sergeant Walter Connell suffered a fatal heart attack after being taken hostage by a suspect.
He and another detective had gone to a person's house while investigating a series of armed robberies. The person supposedly had information about the suspect. When they knocked on the door, it was answered by the suspect, who was holding a handgun. The suspect took both officers hostage and bound their hands and feet with handcuffs and electrical tape. The suspect then fled the scene.
Sergeant Connell was able to crawl to a phone and call dispatchers to report their situation. He then collapsed on the floor as he suffered a major heart attack brought on by the stress of the situation.
Sergeant Connell had been with the department for 17 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.