Boston Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch Thursday, September 24, 1970
Reflections for Patrolman Walter A. Schroeder
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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
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
Patrolman Schroeder you are not forgotten by the men and women of your department. RIP
Detective Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.
September 24, 2010
You are not forgotten. Thank you for Your service to the City of Boston. Rest Easy.
Dispatcher
Boston Police Department
September 24, 2010
I had the privilege of knowing a man who once worked with you. I believe he responded to the scene. He was a rookie then, not long out of the academy. He has written of you and remembered you as one the finest and most honorable of men. His name is William Bratton and for seven years he was the Chief of Police in Los Angeles. He is also a Vietnam Veteran.
I was three weeks shy of my 15th birthday when you left us. Your shooting was national news and if I remember was on the front page of the once great Los Angeles Times newspaper. I too protested the Vietnam War, even as I prepared to serve in it. No one was going to take my place. I remember your death and that of a graduate student in Madison Wisconsin and wondered then and now how can somebody kill in the name of peace.
The war ended before I could serve but I found other ways to answer the call. For all those privileged to know you and call you father, brother, friend I serve. In all those years since you and your brother paid the ultimate price I hope their lives have been blessed with peace, prosperity, and pride. You have touched lives well beyond the community of Boston. Your gallant spirit lives on.
James M. Grant, Crime Analyst II
LAPD Van Nuys Division
September 24, 2010
YOU WERE MORE THEN A POLICE OFFICER;
THE KIDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKED UP TO YOU;
YOU WERE OUR FRIEND AND OUR NEIGHBOR.
YOU WERE A ROLE MODEL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER.
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU!
DENNIS VILLA
July 7, 2009
Thank you for your many years of service with the Boston Police working to keep the old neighborhood safe. We'll never forget that awful day when you lost your own life protecting us and our community.
God Bless you and your family.
Dorothy (Artesani) Cochrane
Formerly of Allston and Brighton
October 8, 2008
Today marks the 38th anniversary of your murder. My the sacrifices your family has made, it's just too sad.
We can only hope that those who committed this vile act faced true justice, if not in this life, then in the next.
God Bless you Brother and may you continue to Rest in Peace.
Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr
Harvard University Police Dept.
September 24, 2008
On todays date, the First Responder Unit of the U.S. Capitol Police honored Officer Schroeder's service during roll call by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job.
Lieutenant Ted O'Donnell
U.S. Capitol Police
September 24, 2008
Thank you for your service, Sir.
Michael Cleary
Waltham, MA
February 13, 2008
"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
November 7, 2007
The Rautenbergs think of you often and fondly.
Forest Ranger Rautenberg
September 24, 2007
Patrolman Schroeder,
I would 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.
Anonymous
Anonymous
May 8, 2007
Walter was My Great Uncle, I remember him giving me a little red tractor for Xmas when I was really young, it was at his mom and dads house in Allston, I think it was on Aldie St, now named in his memory. I remember calling my Great Grand mother Nana, and hated getting kisses from her because she never had her teeth in !! :-)
I will never forget that cherished childhood memory or will I forget that He and my Grand Father John, are truly American Heroes. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. LOVE Chris
Deputy Christopher John Schroeder
Salt Lake County Sheriff / Great Uncle
January 22, 2007
i never knew my grand father, but i do love him very much, and i wish i could have spent time with him and known more about him. I respect him very much and may god rest his soel
Corpral Sean Schroeder
i am his Grandson
August 23, 2006
My uncle and father were well known and loved by residents in the Allston / Brighton area. There funerals reflected this. Their bravery and love for their families were instilled in me by their example and sacrifice. I truly miss them both.
Richard Schroeder
Nephew of Walter, son of John
March 2, 2006
THIS IS REALLY SAD. A WIFE AND NINE CHILDREN. KILLED BY SOME OF AMERICAS WORST. OFFICER SCHROEDER REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
BOB
retired
December 4, 2005
On 07/01/05 RTG 42-05 remembered Officer Walter A. Schroeder and dedicated our training day to him.
You are not forgotten.
Boston Police Academy RTG 42-05
BPD
November 21, 2005
6 years (out of a 14 year sentence) is all one of your killers served. Not nearly enough.
Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
November 28, 2004
I just got done watching a story about officers killed in the line of duty. They went into depth on one of your killers. After all these years justice was served. You may have lost your life, but you didn't lose that fight. We'll always remember you.
Anonymous
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