In the line of duty, Detroit Police Officer Frank E. Walls, a 39-year-old male, lost his life on Monday, October 17, 1988. A 13-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Officer Walls was part of a special operations team responding to a volatile situation at an apartment on Springle Avenue.
The tragic events unfolded after a mentally disturbed man had already shot and killed Lieutenant James Schmit.
Following a six-hour siege, the special operations team made entry into the apartment. At approximately 2:14 p.m., as the team secured the lower level, Officer Walls advanced towards the stairs. It was at this moment that he was fatally shot by the suspect.
In the immediate aftermath of Officer Walls being shot, other members of the SRT returned fire, killing the suspect at the scene. No arrests were made as the sole suspect was killed during the confrontation with police. Officer Walls was survived by his parents, a sister, and two brothers.
