On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 11 a.m., the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial will place a granite grave marker on the unmarked grave of Oklahoma City Police Officer A.L. Walton, End of Watch Oct. 26, 1923, at Rose Hill Burial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
This will be the fourth granite marker placed as part of the project to make sure all fallen Oklahoma officers have a grave marker. There are still 38 more known fallen officers’ unmarked graves in Oklahoma.
A.L. Walton was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, November 22, 1882. After moving to Oklahoma City, A.L. Walton worked for the railroad for several years before joining the Oklahoma City Police Department.
The month of October 1923 saw record rainfall in Oklahoma City. On October 16, the North Canadian River overflowed its banks with crest waters twenty-five feet high, flooding everything as far north as California Avenue. Businesses, homes, and railroad tracks were washed away, leaving fifteen thousand people homeless and stranded. Beginning on Monday, October 22, 1923, Patrolman A. L. Walton worked thirty-six hours straight, wading into the cold waters repeatedly carrying numerous stranded people, including many children, to safety.
Although Patrolman A. L. Walton was ordered to go off duty at one point by Mayor O. A. Cargill, Patrolman Walton refused to leave until everyone was rescued. Patrolman A. L. Walton continued to work until he collapsed with a high fever Tuesday afternoon, October 23.
Patrolman A. L. Walton was taken to the hospital for treatment. While in the hospital Patrolman A. L. Walton developed pneumonia and died at 4 p.m. Friday, October 26, 1923.
Patrolman A. L. Walton was survived by his wife and six children. The oldest child was fourteen.
Patrolman A. L. Walton is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
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