Walter L. “Walt” Wiemann

How they died

Deadly force

Walter Wiemann, a Vietnam vet with PTSD and Alzheimer's, barricaded himself in a house just before noon. His daughter called state police and agreed to commit her father to a mental institution. Troopers called to try to talk to Wiemann, but he'd disconnected the ringer from his phone. Frustrated, troopers called in the Special Emergencies Response Team and more than 30 troopers surrounded the house. An outbuilding caught fire and Wiemann left his barricade and walked toward the burning structure carrying a rifle. As he did, he turned toward some of the troopers surrounding the house, who opened fire and killed Wiemann. Wiemann's family as filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the case.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Walter L. “Walt” Wiemann, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources