Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Schroeder, it has been 53 years since you were taken from us. I was in 3rd grade in Framingham and remember all the news and activity surrounding your assassination. Unfortunately, in my 34 years in law enforcement, I saw too many more following. I hope you and John are at peace and pain-free together now.

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

September 24, 2023

Patrolman Schroeder will not be forgotten by the Officers both Active and Retired of the Boston Police Department.

Retired Boston P.O. Robert E. Anthony Historian

September 24, 2023

Never forgotten by the Officers of the Boston Police Department

Retired Boston P.O. Robert E. Anthony Historian

September 24, 2022

Ms. Betty McFadden is requesting that the Schroders call her at 910-806-5753. She would like to talk to the Schroders about a problem related to Officer Schroder.

God Bless

Betty McFadden

February 18, 2022

Never forgotten by the Men and women of the Boston Police Department.

P.O. Robert Anthony Historian
Boston Police Department

September 24, 2021

I remember Sept 23, 1970 as though it just happened. I was shocked. Who could take the life of someone who protected lives every day. Officer Walter Schroeder loved making life safer for everyone every time he was in uniform and his badge on, or out of uniform. My family will never, ever forget your ultimate sacrifice that day.

Anonymous
Anonymous

March 23, 2021

Three of the gang involved in the killing of Officer Schroeder were radical students at Brandeis University, which the university has been careful to conceal.

Thomas Mountain
Brandeis ‘85

September 25, 2020

Without taking too much of this reflection away from Officer Schroeder, Margaret Medicke, thank you for your heartfelt and spot on reflection. You’re right about everything you said except possibly a small difference is there seems to be more citizens today encouraging the behavior while vilifying the police. Great reflection and thank you again.

Officer Schroeder, you come from an obvious family of heroes sir and I can only say on this 50th anniversary of your untimely yet heroic departure, rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. God Bless you and your family.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 24, 2020

Patrolman Schroeder,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Boston. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 24, 2020

Isn’t it frightening to see the same terrorism happening all over again with Antifa and BLM? Next Thursday will be the 50th anniversary of this horrible day.

And here we go again, with our police in harm’s way.

I was a third grader at Brighton’s James A. Garfield elementary school, Miss Cumming’s class, on that day. We had been in school a few weeks. There were two Margaret’s in my class.

At lunch time, the other Margaret was taken out of class. She was nice. I remember she often had home made marble cake in her lunchbox and shared.

We nosey kids asked the lunch monitor why she left. We were told her uncle had died.

I noticed that the parents were very protective of the kids walking home from school that day. They came to get us, which they never did. People were watching. From windows and porches.

I told my mum that the other Margaret’s uncle had died and they took her out. I thought he had died in Vietnam. But no. My mum explained he was a beloved policeman. He had been shot in the back by cowards. They were stealing money from the bank in Brighton Center.

I heard the adults tell each other that these cowards were crazy brainwashed college kids and they did it to “protest the killing and injustice” in Vietnam. I heard them say that some of the killers had gotten away. The terrified neighbors consoled each other saying “they’re long gone...no need to worry” and the police would protect us.

I have never forgotten the barbarity of The Weather Underground, the Symbionese Liberation Army and The Black Panthers in those years. Nor have I forgotten those who protected /hid them.

We are seeing the same thing happen again. The cowardly anarchists just have different names. It is the same people organizing it.

The police are the only thing standing in their way, protecting us from them.

RIP Officer Schroeder. May your family always be blessed. May all police know that we the people will NEVER abandon our police. We back the Blue, no matter what, and pray for their safety. We are trying to fight the harm being done to them.

Margaret (“Meg”) Medicke

September 16, 2020

Walter, I have seen your photograph on my grandmothers table since I can remember.
Next to your photograph is your brother John who I always new as Jack.

You were both her brothers and I looked up to both of you even though we never met.

Growing up hearing the stories about the two of you from my grandmother and my father always brought a smile to my face and I was always proud to be a part of the family. The sacrifice both of you made was more than anyone should ever have to give.

I am grown up now and a husband and father of three and have been a Deputy Sheriff for the past 12 years serving the County if Sacramento in California.

There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t think of both of you and the impact you both had in my life.

Today I’m proud to say my photograph sits next to both of yours on my grandmothers table.

Deputy Daniel Caramello
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and grand nephew

July 21, 2020

To Patrolman Walter A. Schroeder:
Thanks for your service to your city, state and this great nation. Your death at the hands of the militants is well known, even after all these years. Your family has and obviously continues to serve in the finest tradition of law enforcement and selfless service. Your family has given much, perhaps too much, but that's what we do--protect and serve, despite the risks we take. Thanks to you, your brothers and your family for representing our honorable profession with pride and dignity. You and your family honor all of us.

Jim Lopey, Assistant Sheriff
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno) and NVDPS

September 24, 2019

Rest in peace Patrolman Schroeder. To leave a widow and nine children behind, God bless your honest soul.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 9, 2019

Patrolman Schroeder, today marks the 48th anniversary of your brutal murder. An entirely new building stands where that bank once stood, but a plaque honoring your sacrifice is affixed to the exterior facing Western Ave. No real consolation, but it's truly a nice gesture to memorialize you in that way.

Brother, it's so gratifying to know that your family honors you and holds you in such high regard. The posts left by them are heartwarming and heart wrenching all at once, but they have proven that you are still with them in their hearts and minds. God Bless them and God Bless you, Brother. May your continued rest remain peaceful.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

September 24, 2018

Dr. Patrolman Walter A. Schroeder,

Your legacy has truly shined on since that fatal day in 1970. It's 2014, 44 years later and I shed a tear when I think of you. My grandmother, your sister Mary, will never let her growing family (of almost 50) forget about your heroic deeds. There isn't a family function that goes by without Nanny mentioning the love of her brothers. She's proud of you, and in turn, she's made her whole family proud of you, and John. I feel honored to be able to carry your family legacy on. Thank you for keeping our streets safe for as long as you did. You will never be forgotten. Please know the Rautenberg's think of you often. So much love. Rest easy.

- Melissa

Family member
Great-niece via Mary Schroeder - Rautenberg

November 29, 2014

It is now 44 years since your murder by the lowest of life forms.

The bank where you were murdered has been replaced by another building, but a plaque has been placed on the façade to commemorate your sacrifice, an act which was right and proper.

God Bless you and may you continue to Rest in Peace, hero, Brother.

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

September 24, 2014

Memories;
I remember that day at St. Gabriels's when Sister Damascus came in the classroom and watched as Paul left the classroom with her. I figured in trouble again and glad it was'nt me getting called out the classroom. Then the rumor, buzz, wispers from my other friends began from Jimmy D. , Geno R. , John M., Mary R., Ann Marie S., other friends there in our 7th Grade classroom .
Clueless and innocent.

The world's ugly reality became known. Paul's dad , Walter Schoeder had been shot in the line-of duty, down in Brighten Center. Shock! What can you say ? I never knew what to say. Paul and I used to fight alot before that day. Fooling around , getting into trouble , etc. That stopped.

- Living in Fidelis Way, the projects together with the Nantasket ave crowd, the Saint Gabriel's Community as it were, it all happened so fast. The School, St. Gabriels closed later that year and I was off to Thomas Edison Jr. High, Then to Boston Tech and then into the US Army. Lost contact with anybody I knew back then from school or the big bad projects.

I never did pay my respects to the Family or say anything of consequence to Paul about this nightmare. I reget that -even though I had no idea what to say. I mean I went to Officer Schroeder's Requiem mass- I was in the soon tobe defunct St. Gabriel's Boys Choir ,sang at the Mass- it all seems a blur nowadays.

Years later reading about the scumbags who did the deed or others who evaded justice for decades - some later to be hailed as some kind of hero-victims by the Boston area press. I leave out their names because they will always be worthless bums. Unfortunately their kind will always be with us. More's the pity.

More importantly I read about the Schoeder Family, , Paul his sister. Walter's brother- they became part of the 'blue line', a geniune Hero family, honorable and faithful.

Thank you, all member's of the Schroeder Family.

John Milward

July 2, 2014

I viewed the funeral procession on the streets of Brighton, MA. 1970. It was the longest, largest, most somber I ever witnessed in my lifetime. I was 26, making a secret visit to St. Elizabeth's and unable to tell my father, a Malden cop, how proud I was to be able to view the procession. A cop's daughter, one of 11 siblings, It has never left my memory.

gov. retiree, J.C.ALLEN
passerby

March 27, 2014

Walter and John's sister Mary still lives in Hyde Park, where I grew up playing with the 4 youngest of her 8 children. Her husband (Ed) was also shot in the line of duty. I was too young to appreciate how devastating this must have been for the family. It must have been so incredibly hard for you, Mrs. R. and I am truly sorry. I will always cherish the memories of how rich and beautiful it was to have passed my childhood on that street in those years, but I am sorry to realize that you were dealing with so much tragedy. Love always.

Gail (Sunderland) Tsolirides
Friend

June 24, 2013

On Sept 24,, 1970, I was a Boston Police Cadet in district 10 in Rox Crossing. The call came in that A Police Officer was shot during a bank Robbery in Brighton Allston. When I heard the name Walter Schroeder....I knew that he was brought up with my father (Jim Hickman)..Who was also a Boston Officer). I was assigned with Boston Officer Leo Silvia...to keep picking up blood at the red cross center and rushing it up. to St Elizabeths Hosp in Brighton. That was almost 43 years. ago. I just retired after 39 yrs as a police officer. Where did the time go....God Bless Walter, John and the rest of the Schroeders.Officer

Officer Brian Hickman..Ret
Braintree Police Dept 02184

June 20, 2013

My partner and I were a few blocks away when Walter was assinated. The next few days were the most dramatic cop killer search I was ever on. Walter and his brother were heros. Another brother, Barney, served out his career as a commanding officer of the BPD. He too showed great courage in maintaining that quality that makes a great cop. This is a great heroic BPD family and I am proud that I knew Barney and mourn his brothers. Let us never forget our fallen Brothers and sisters.

S/Sgt JJ Martin, ret
Massachusetts State Police

January 15, 2013

I can not believe it's been 45 years?He is my hero! That's when our family
life's change for ever.Our hearts were broken,and the anger came out.I agree with Clare,Sue Sax wanted to go home to her kid.What about Walter's children there were 8 of them.Some of them never got to know
or see him.I'll never forget how tall he was next to Nana,and his face.
My God bless him and the rest of his family,rest in peace.love Ya.

Regina Scott Myler
Niece

November 27, 2012

To my God father Jack,I well never forget you.I remember the last time
I saw you,Thanking of 1973.My God bless all of you! Wanda,Chris,Wanda.
Love ya!

Regina Scott Myler
Goddaughter,Niece

November 27, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary year 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 24, 2012

My memories of Patrolman Walter was as a small child in the Combat Zone in Boston. Officer Shroeder use to come over when my mom and I would go out to lunch to say hi..I must have been about 4 or 5..He always said "Hello Princess!!" I always referred to him as Sir Walter Raleigh after I saw him with a cigar. When one of the people turned herself in..about 1992..I had a visit from his spirit. the woman looked alot like my mom. This visit happened at night and when I woke up the next morning I heard about her turning herself in on the news. I always missed him and he was a wonderful loving generous human being. Rest in Peace Sir Walter Raleigh and may your family know how lovely you were.

Aprille Bernard
child at time of his death

November 3, 2010