Deputy Sheriff Walter Q. Eckert, Jr.

Walter Q. Eckert, Jr.

Deputy Sheriff Walter Eckert succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on February 1, 1967, while attempting to serve a warrant.

At 9:30 a.m., Deputy Eckert and Deputy Sheriff Benny Berry entered the man's residence at 7401 Grover Avenue in Austin after being told by a neighbor that the man was inside the home. The suspect opened fire on the deputies with an M-1 carbine, mortally wounding Deputy Berry in the chest and Deputy Eckert in the hip and calf. Deputy Eckert returned fire but did not strike the shooter as he fled the house. Deputy Eckert went to the house next door for back-up.

The suspect, who was on federal probation, was arrested and sentenced to 99 years in prison, but was released after serving only 13 years.

Deputy Eckert was transported to Brackenridge Hospital. Due to his wounds, he was medically retired. He succumbed to his wounds eight years later on June 4, 1975.

Deputy Eckert was a United States Army Air Forces WWII veteran. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, a son, and seven grandchildren.