San Diego Police Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, April 23, 2020
Add to My HeroesDaniel Gene Walters
Police Officer Dan Walters succumbed to complications of a gunshot wound sustained on November 12, 2003.
He and his partner were backing up another officer on 43rd Street near Gamma Street after the officer stopped to investigate a vehicle parked in the travel lanes with a subject standing nearby. The man immediately pointed a gun at the officer, causing him to seek cover. Officer Walters and his partner immediately confronted the man, who attacked Officer Walters. The man placed his .357 handgun against Officer Walters' neck and shot him, causing him to fall into the roadway. The man was then shot and killed by Officer Walters' partner.
A passing vehicle inadvertently struck Officer Walters, causing additional injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where it was determined that he had become paralyzed from the neck down.
It was later determined that the man who shot Officer Walters was involved in a violent domestic incident when the first officer encountered him.
Officer Walters remained paralyzed and died from complications from the original injuries on April 23, 2020.
Officer Walters had served with the San Diego Police Department for five years at the time he was shot.
Before serving with the San Diego Police Department, Officer Walters was drafted by the Houston Astros and then played two seasons of Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres.
Bio
- Age 53
- Tour 5 years
- Badge 5523
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, November 12, 2003
- Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 144 ReflectionsThe last time I saw a Pittsburgh Pirates game at 3 Rivers Stadium was a doubleheader between the Pirates and Padres, on 8/29/93. Sadly, Brad Ausmus (who would later have a long MLB career as a catcher & manager) caught the first game (a Pirates win, 7-4), and in the nightcap, (won by the Padres, 11-0) Kevin Higgins was the catcher. Actually I saw some of Dan in action on TV & radio. Dan's 1st MLB home run was on 6/9/92 vs. the Astros at the Murph, he had 2 hits & 3 RBI. Officer Walters also had 2 RBI nights on 6/15/92 at the Astros, and 6/23/92 vs. the Dodgers. Dan's MLB debut was on 6/1/92 vs. the Cubs, where he went 0-for-3. Chicago won 6-1 at Wrigley Field. Dan also had 3 RBI against the Astros at the Q on 9/24/92. Exactly 1 week after hitting his 1st MLB homer, against the Astros at the 'Dome, Dan stole 2nd base (it's stupid to steal items, you'll be caught by the police, but it's legal to steal second base)! Dan's last MLB homer was against the Pirates on 4/13/93, and his final MLB game was against (you guessed it) the Astros on 5/23/93...Dan was 2-4 with an RBI (but Houston won, 9-7. Officer Dan's last at-bat was a strikeout, sadly.) Here's the info on Dan's last MLB game: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1993/B05230SDN1993.htm
And here's the boxscore for Dan's 1st MLB HR: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1992/B06090SDN1992.htm
As a Padres fan from Pittsburgh, I've seen a lot of highs and lows for this franchise, and Dan now joins the many legends us Friar Faithful will remember forever. I hope the Padres ownership took some time to honor Officer Dan Walters. And I hope Peter Seidler and Ron Fowler can induct Dan into the Padres Hall of Fame, because he served San Diego well as a police officer, and he love for San Diego began with playing for the Padres. Thanks for making me a Padres fan, and thank you for your service. Go Padres! Go San Diego Police!
Mr. Fred Benson
October 13, 2021
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