Minerva Sleeping Giants remember Walter J. Hornberger

MINERVA | Technical Sergeant Walter J. Hornberger passed away on June 12, 2025, at the remarkable age of 90. His decorated career and impressive life were recently celebrated by family, friends, former co-workers from the New York State Police and the Minerva Sleeping Giants, where he was a member. Walt's early years saw his family moving often, with him graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, where he excelled in both art and music. Three times he performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the All-City Chorus. In 1952, he joined the U.S. Army, serving with the 809th Field Artillery Battalion, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He loved structure and his lifelong belief was that if something could be done better, Walt was all in. After becoming a part of the New York State Police, Walt quickly gained a reputation for being both highly professional and a handful while serving at his first post in Oswego with Troop D. He later transferred to Troop G in South Glens Falls, where he became one of the State Police's motorcycle riders and instructors. Walt attended the first-ever New York State Police Scuba Diving School in 1963, being introduced to very archaic equipment. He became an instructor himself, which meant a whole new generation of divers was born. Walt was a part of everything: diving, boxing, water safety, emergency childbirth. Walt didn't just train troopers for what they did; he trained them for what they might have to do someday. He also helped start the State Police Bomb Squad, introduced K9 bomb detection and even worked on hostage negotiations programs. If you can name a specialized skill, Walt had either started it, taught it, or argued how it could be improved. Walter retired in 1977, which for him just meant a change in uniforms and he kept working forward. At that period of his life, he worked with Jacques Cousteau and became part-owner of U.S. Divers, organizing scuba programs for cruise passengers, turning a Caribbean vacation into an advanced training course. As the former Technical Sergeant in charge of the Underwater Recovery Team and his role at U.S. Divers, he worked tirelessly to provide the appropriate gear to the NYSP Dive Team so they could continue to work alongside the U.S. Navy on the TWA Flight 800 investigation. Walt hosted the Cycle Riders Luncheon at Spitzies Harley and the Over the Hill Gang gathering at OTB. Through it all, he stayed devoted to honoring those who served before him, participating in the State Police Graves Program to make sure no trooper was ever forgotten. Walter is survived by his sons, Joseph, William and Ken Hornberger of Stuart, Fla.; and John Hornberger of Bradenton, Fla.; his stepdaughter, Paula; and his son Andrew from his beloved wife, Valerie Hornberger. In a eulogy given by the State Police, Trooper Neil Case wrote, "Walt lived fully, served faithfully, and left behind a legacy that still echoes through the halls of the Academy, the calm waters of a dive site, and the laughter at every trooper gathering." —Compiled by Minerva Sleeping Giants' Joy Healy and State Trooper Neil Case.

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Minerva Sleeping Giants remember Walter J. Hornberger

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