Mansfield Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch: Sunday, October 2, 1983
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: October 2, 1983
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Charged with vehicular homicide
Patrolman Walter Langley was struck and killed by a drunk driver while investigating a car parked on the side of Route 140 at 1:15 a.m.
The driver who struck him was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous driving, failure to yield to a pedestrian, and marijuana possession. The 32-year-old driver was released after signing a written promise to appear in court.
It was later determined that the car parked on the side of the road had been driven by a drunk driver. That driver was also arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Patrolman Langley was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart. He had served with the Mansfield Police Department for 8 years and had previously served with the Kingston Police Department. He was survived by his wife and five children.