Sergeant Leo Waldinger
Erie Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Saturday, November 26, 1949

Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, November 18, 1949
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed

Sergeant Waldinger and Patrolman Walter May were shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a hostage taker at the G. Daniel Baldwin Building at 10th and State Streets. An irate WWII veteran had taken a US Veterans Administration director hostage at the location. Sergeant Waldinger, who was off duty but responded to the call anyway, and Patrolman May arrived at the scene at the same time and attempted to persuade the suspect to release the hostage. When the officers saw an opening they attempted to rush the suspect but were both shot and fatally wounded. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries several days later. The suspect was apprehended and committed to a mental hospital. He died at age 65 on December 16, 1986, at Warren State Hospital.

Sergeant Waldinger had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and children.

Related Line of Duty Deaths

Patrolman Walter May Erie Police Department, PA EOW: Wednesday, November 30, 1949 Cause of Death: Gunfire