Lieutenant Walter A. Staley

Lieutenant Walter A. Staley

Temple Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, June 26, 1962

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Walter A. Staley

Lieutenant Walter Staley was shot and killed as he pulled into the parking lot of a local service station. The service station was being robbed by a man who had just robbed three other service stations and had taken a total of four hostages from the other robberies. After shooting Lieutenant Staley the man pulled his body from the patrol car and forced one of the hostages to drive them away from the scene. The man was arrested minutes later as he attempted to evade a road block. He was charged with murder and armed robbery.

On October 10, 1962, a jury said the suspect, 22, was sane when he murdered Lieutenant Staley, but became insane in jail while awaiting his trial. The judge ordered he be committed in the mental hospital at Rusk. If he was ever declared sane he would be tried for murder and robbery.

Lieutenant Staley had been with the agency for 6 years. He was survived by his wife and son.

Bio

  • Age 49
  • Tour 16 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; Luger
  • Offender Committed

Most Recent Reflection

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Lt. Staley,

You served with a group of great officers! Several of the men you served with were my family. Thank you for your service!

Grandson of Lt. J.R. Houston and great nephew of the Hunka brothers.

Brett Jordan
TCSO

March 19, 2021

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