Detective Walter Hart

Walter Hart

Detective Walter Hart was shot and killed by three suspects following a holdup at the Grey Eagle Café at 201 W. Sixth Street in Cincinnati at 11:50 pm.

Two suspects entered the restaurant with weapons and announced the holdup while another waited outside as the lookout man. Detective Hart guided all the patrons to the safety of the restrooms before drawing his service weapon. He shot one suspect who was pulling cash from the cash register. Another suspect shot him in the back and heart. He returned fire, and the suspects fled the café.

Detective Hart was transported to Cincinnati General hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds at 12:36 am.

The three suspects had met in prison and were on parole. Two suspects were apprehended immediately. One suspect, who was wounded, was apprehended and pled insanity. He was found innocent due to insanity and died at the Lima State Hospital. The third suspect was apprehended 17 months later in Alabama. The two suspects were sentenced to death and subsequently executed on July 7, 1958.

Detective Hart had been with the Cincinnati Police Department for 26 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.