Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant Walter F. Conley

Milford Police Department, Massachusetts

End of Watch Wednesday, December 10, 1980

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sergeant Walter F. Conley

Sergeant Conely, it has been 43 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

December 10, 2023

RIP Dad, We miss you and I still think about you and Mom every day. You were always my hero and I remember how hard you worked for your family your wife and my Mother Jenny and your boys Bobby, Jimmy, and myself Billy. RIP Dad

William Conley
Son

January 7, 2021

Sgt. Conley,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USCG during WW II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Paratus!

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 10, 2020

I grew up in that area of Massachusetts and remember reading about what happened in the newspaper as a young boy. I remember being very sad. RIP Sergeant

Officer William Mosher
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (Retired))

April 15, 2018

Never forgotten, RIP

Sergeant John Moore
Groton Long Point Police Dept.

December 10, 2015

You might say he was responsible for my interest in becoming a police officer. As a young boy I would sit in the police car in front of my house while "Moose" visited with my Dad. It was a reaaly fun experience for me. As a person "Moose" was a role model for me in dealing with citizens. After his wife passed and his boys were grown I gave him a german sheperd that became his almost constant companion. Interesting that this anniversary fell on a wednesday.......the same day of his actual murder. RIP my friend !!!

Sergeant
Groton Long Point, Ct.

December 11, 2014

I can't imagine it's been almost 34 years you've been gone. I will always remember the good times we had working together, snowmobiling together and hunting together. You were truly one of the best. All my best to Bob, Jimmy and Billy.
Bob Crandall
Retired Mass.Court Officer and former Milford Police Officer.

Officer Robert Crandall (Ret)
Mass. Trial Court

March 26, 2014

I think of this family friend everyday. I wear a memorial bracelet in his memory. Rest in peace !! Always remembered !!!

Sergeant
Groton Long Point Police Department

December 10, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.


I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 10, 2011

"Moose" was my father's best friend. My father never got over the loss of his friend and I will never forget how I looked up to Sgt. Walter Conley growing up. He would stop by our house and let me sit in the police car and talk on the radio when I was small. I would like to hear from Bob, Jim and Bill or anyone in the family. God bless you Sgt. Conley !!

Sergeant John F. Moore
Groton Long Point Ct Police Department

December 8, 2011

"Moose" was my father's best friend. My father never got over the loss of his friend and I will never forget how I looked up to Sgt. Walter Conley growing up. He would stop by our house and let me sit in the police car and talk on the radio when I was small. I would like to hear from Bob, Jim and Bill or anyone in the family. God bless you Sgt. Conley !!

Sergeant
Groton Long Point Ct Police Department

December 7, 2011

Yes, Mr Roberston, this is the same man. Walter Conley was my great uncle and a hero as well. I was just a kid when these tragic events happened. My uncle was escorting the bank employee who was carrying a bag of pennies when they were ambushed by O'Shea and another guy. My uncle was able to push the bank employee to safety but was shot down while trying to return fire. I had always wondered how such a bad man could have been allowed to escape prison. I am sorry to hear of your injuries. Considering what an evil person O'Shea was I congratulate you on surviving your ordeal. Best Wishes to you!

Guy Keefe
Family

November 24, 2011

Was this the Sgt that Patrick O'Shea shot and killed. If it is I was kidnapped by him and Lawrence Burhoe in Dec of 1981. He had escaped from prison and I ran across him in rural Franklin county GA. They got the drop on us and hit me on the side of my head and the pistol shot and left me partial deaf in my left ear. I know that he killed a police officer in Milford robing a bank or armor car. We had a hole on Lawrence burhoe but they let him out of prison in 2002. without letting us know. It is my understanding that Oshea will never get out of prison. Let me know if this is the one and any information that you can give me. Thanks your friend Ervin Robertson

Ervin Robertson
Franklin county Sheriff Dept retired

August 28, 2011

I will never forget December 10th,1980. It was the day my grandfather was shot and killed. Hard to believe it's been 30 years. I had never known a true hero until that day. I have known some hero's since then but Walter Conley tops the list. He gave his life for the life of another. Rest in peace Puppie Magoo. Your memory still lives on in all of our hearts...

Lauri Conley Webber
Granddaughter

January 10, 2011

Sgt. Conley you are remembered by your brother and sister officers of the Boston Police Department. RIP

Det. Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.

December 19, 2010

Thirty years ago this month Sergeant Conley was gunned down.

Ed Thompson
WMRC RADIO

December 1, 2010

This was my beloved uncle. I stayed with him and my aunt and cousins when I would come to visit. I was born in Milford and lived in Hopedale, then my family, moved to florida. My prayers are always with him and my aunt who passed away.

Anonymous

April 6, 2010

Sgt. Conley,
On today, the 27th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Milford. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

December 10, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 6, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 8, 2007

Sgt. Conley, today marks the 26th anniversary of your murder. What should have been a fairly routine errand turned deadly thanks to the actions of a couple of guttersnipes. I am grateful that they are in prison, hopefully for the rest of their lives. We’ll see.

You gave your life in defense of another and for that we praise and remember you, but those who knew and loved you praise and remember you for the man that you were, and still are.

God Bless you and may you continue to Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

December 10, 2006

I was born and raised in Milford. I was in the fourth grade when our teacher announced after the Pledge of Allegiance than we would have a moment of silence for Sgt. Conley who was shot and killed. She was crying, and the whole class was silent. That moment has stayed with me forever. Sgt. Conley's sacrifice cannot be forgotten. God Bless him and his family.

Abraham Lincoln wrote: "The solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom".

Your husband, your father, your uncle, your friend, your brother, your son--he died a hero.

Detective Cpl. Kimberly Edwards
Burlington, VT Police Department

November 23, 2004

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