Silver Spring Township Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Sunday, January 19, 1975
Add to My HeroesPaul James Walters
Corporal Paul Walters was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing a street during a snow storm. He was walking three teenagers back to his patrol car after arresting them for throwing snowballs at passing tractor trailers.
Corporal Walters and his partner were dispatched to the area where the boys were reportedly throwing snowballs at traffic. The weather was poor that night; heavy snow was falling and road conditions poor. Corporal Walters was dropped off near where the subjects were reported to have been seen so he could approach them on foot. His partner double-backed in the patrol car so he could approach the location from the opposite direction. Corporal Walters was able to catch the boys in the act and he placed them under arrest. He then attempted to walk the boys back to where the patrol car was parked. Unfortunately, the heavy snow made for treacherous conditions on Carlisle Pike; driver visibility was low and the plowed snow banks provided barely enough room for vehicles to pass through the two traffic lanes. In an effort to protect the boys in his custody Corporal Walters walked behind them, on the edge of the left lane, and used his flashlight to wave approaching vehicles into the right lane and away from the teens. One of the vehicles approaching in the left lane was a large truck whose driver saw Corporal Walters’ directions and was able to make a lane change in time to avoid the officer. However a sedan was following closely behind the truck. This vehicle’s driver did not see Corporal Walters until the truck changed lanes, too late to avoid a collision. Corporal Walters was struck. Though he was rushed to the emergency room, he succumbed to his injuries.
Corporal Walters had served with the agency for three years and had previously served with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was survived by his three children, parents, and sister, and was posthumously promoted to Corporal.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Struck by vehicle
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsRest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
January 19, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021

Corrections Officer Joseph A. Martini
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: January 17, 2021

Police Officer Arturo Villegas
Alamo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 10, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin
Grant County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: December 11, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Brandon Stalker
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Jay Hughes
Kalispel Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: January 6, 2021