John Stratton Walker, Sr. was born March 28, 1831 in Langdon, New Hampshire to Edmund Walker and Adeline Howard.

He married Emma Evans and had a child named John Stratton Walker (Jr).

Deputy Walker was a farmer and a Cheshire County Deputy Sheriff.

On March 16, 1886, Deputy Sheriff John Stratton Walker, Sr. was assisting Emma Josephine Nash remove some of her belongings from her home in Walpole, New Hampshire.  She was in an abusive relationship and the abuse led Emma Josephine Nash to start divorce proceeding at the Cheshire County Superior Court, known then as the Cheshire County Supreme Court.  She asked for the assistance of the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office with the removal of her belongings, known today as a civil stand by.  A news article during that era indicates that Deputy Walker was sent for to remove her personal effects, which could be an indication that he was summoned to the home to assist Emma Josephine Nash in his capacity as a Deputy Sheriff.  Her husband, Charles A. Jennings, was cooperative during the removal of the property until the wagoneer who was assisting with the removal of Emma’s property accidentally loaded a box that Mr. Jennings did not want removed from the home.  He became enraged and attacked Deputy Walker with an axe striking him in the head and arm, causing severe injuries to Deputy Walker.  Deputy Walker was not able to recuperate from his injuries and died on April 22, 1886 of blood poisoning and typhoid fever.

On May 19, 2016, High Sheriff Eliezer “Eli” Rivera during the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service recognize Deputy Walker as a line-of duty death, making Deputy Walker the first recorded line-of-duty death in New Hampshire.

On May 20, 2016, during the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officer’s Ceremony, Deputy Walker was inducted onto the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Memorial Wall and recognized as the first line-of-duty death in New Hampshire.
Visit the Officer Down Memorial Page for Deputy Walker