Former Padres Catcher and San Diego Police Officer Dan Walter Dies at Age 53
By Sam Dunn
A community is in mourning today, as San Diego has lost one of its own. Dan Walters, who played catcher for the Padres in the early 1990s before embarking on a career as a police officer in the city, has passed away.
He was 53 years old.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Padres catcher and San Diego Police Department officer, Dan Walters. Our thoughts are with Dan’s family. pic.twitter.com/o9CnZbbKjy
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 23, 2020
A product of Santana High School in nearby Santee, he made his MLB debut in the summer of 1992 and went on to appear in 84 games, all for the Padres. Walters' law enforcement career began in 1998 -- and his life changed forever when he was paralyzed in a 2003 shooting.
What went undamaged, however, was his spirit. When asked by the San Diego Union Tribune about his most cherished moments as a cop, his reply was the best kind of profound:
“Being able to help people who needed help; getting women and children to a shelter," he said.
It's my hope the @padres never forget Dan Walters. https://t.co/IunAZdd0cF
— ???? ??????? (@MarkFWilkens) November 28, 2019
You will never be forgotten, Officer Walters.
Our thought's are with Dan's family, the Padres, and the San Diego law enforcement community at this most difficult of times.