Sergeant Anthony Michael Wallace, Hoonah Police Department, Alaska

Sergeant Anthony Michael Wallace

Hoonah Police Department, Alaska

End of Watch Sunday, August 29, 2010

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Anthony Michael Wallace

Sergeant Anthony Wallace and Officer Matthew Tokuoka were ambushed and killed by a lone gunman.

Officer Tokuoka, who was off-duty, was in his car with his family when he stopped to talk to Sergeant Wallace who was standing outside his vehicle. Sergeant Wallace's mother was visiting him in Alaska and was accompanying him on a ride along at the time.

A man who the two officers had arrested on several occasions in the past opened fire on Sergeant Wallace from a concealed position nearby, striking Sergeant Wallace in the leg and chest, penetrating his vest.

Officer Tokuoka was able to radio in a brief situation report and then attempted to drag Sergeant Wallace to cover when he was shot twice in the chest.

Although he was mortally wounded, Sergeant Wallace was able to warn responding officers and rescue personnel of the shooter's location.

Sergeant Wallace was medevacked to Juneau by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and died while undergoing emergency surgery at Bartlett Memorial Hospital in the early morning hours August 29th; Officer Tokuoka passed away just before midnight on August 28th at the Hoonah Clinic ER before he could be flown to a trauma center.

The suspect, a former Army marksman, fled to his house and barricaded himself inside; Hoonah officers, an Alaska State Trooper and an off-duty Wrangel Police officer contained the shooter in his house as he continued to fire on officers. Responding Alaska State Troopers and Juneau police SWAT teams were delayed by high seas and wind shears, which made aircraft and small boats unusable. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter brought SWAT personnel from Juneau Police, Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Forest Service officers the following morning. A two day standoff ensued and the suspect surrendered after the use of tear gas.

In January of 2012 an Alaska superior court judge ruled that the suspect was not mentally competent to stand trial, however, that ruling was overturned. He was subsequently convicted of two counts of first degree murder on November 3rd, 2012. On April 4th, 2013, the subject was sentenced to 198 years in prison.

Sergeant Anthony Wallace, who was legally deaf, had served for the Hoonah Police Department for four years. He had previously served as a non-sworn public safety officer with the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. He is survived by his mother and daughter, father and step-mother, three brothers, and grandmother.

The badge numbers of Sergeant Wallace and Officer Tokuoka were retired following their murders. The Hoonah City Council proclaimed the memorial service day for both officers, September 8th, as Anthony Wallace and Matthew Tokuoka Day.

In April of 2011, Sergeant Wallace was posthumously awarded the Police Medal of Heroism by the governor of Alaska.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 4 years
Badge 102

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Saturday, August 28, 2010
Weapon Rifle
Offender Sentenced to 198 years

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Seargeant Wallace, im sorry for what happened to you and your partner that day, as it was senseless and vile in every aspect imaginable. Your death didn't have to happen, as the man who took your lives appeared to have had issues with you both in the past, since he couldn't learn from his mistakes, and as a result, he was fueled with anger and wrath. But what's worse is he didn't give you nor Tokuoka a chance to actually fight back or return fire, which goes to show that he was evil, and that no amount of sympathy is going to fix what he did, as nothing can undo what he did. Thankfully however, karma eventually got him, as he was lured out by tear gas and caught, and what's better is that he was permanently sealed away from society, as he got almost 200 years in prison. A thing i learned about the sentencing in Alaska is if you commit murder, especially in this case where an officer is killed, the only life sentence they get is 100 years or more depending on the severity, and in this case, the monster who took your lives got 2 consecutive life sentences adding up to almost 200, which is proof he will never be released anytime soon. However, it unfortunately won't bring neither of you back, but it will serve as justice for your family and for your other officer that was unfortunately taken away. But what bothers me, is that man didn't kill a police Seargeant, but he took away a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, and a police officer who was doing the best he could in protecting the citizens of Alaska. Although your career only lasted 4 years overall, I think that you did alot in those 4 years and you made a difference that is still felt even today, as September 8th is considered you and Tokuoka's day there in Alaska, and if that doesn't describe an ounce of the difference and impact your sacrifice had, im not sure what will. But it does serve as a reminder each year on what you and your partner did that day, and how you both fought evil that day and didn't back down from it, as you fought like a warrior. Another thing id like to point out was that you were deaf, meaning that although you had little to no hearing, you didn't allow that to stop you from achieving your goals as an officer and serving and protecting, as im sure to you being deaf was only an obstacle in the way, trying to hold you back, but with you being a brave soldier in blue, you didn't let it stop you. Although it's been almost 15 years since you passed, im sure your daughter has grown up to learn about you, as she knows that her father was a hero and a wonderful public servant, and that she carries you in her heart each day, and uses you as inspiration to keep going and pushing through the hard times without you, as im sure you'd be proud of her with how far she's gotten. And though I never met you as I was young when you passed, im sure you were an incredible person to meet and get to know, since the people of Alaska and the small community of Hoonah remember who you were and the selfless things you did as an officer, as you ensured their safety and made sure that they were protected from the horrible people in this world, as even now in society it's only gotten worse. But I'd like to think that you knew each day you'd face danger and run into all types of dangerous people and situations, but you didn't let yourself be held back by the fear of it, as you really were a guardian angel sent down by God to protect the public and ensure their safety over your own, which is one of the most selfless things a person can do, by putting everybody's safety over your own. As of now, may you along with Mr Tokuoka rest in peace, knowing that your service to the people of Hoonah and Alaska is appreciated, and that no matter how much time goes on, you will never be forgotten. I believe that as long as your name is said and remembered, you aren't truly dead as you live on in the hearts and minds of others, and that the piece of scum that took your life will forever rot in prison, and that his punishment will come one way or the other, as judgement day will be brought upon him, as the penalty for taking away an officer of any type is death along with karma. Rest Well Mr. Wallace

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

July 12, 2025