Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch Saturday, November 23, 1918
Add to My HeroesPeter A. Walsh
Patrolman Peter Walsh died after contracting the Spanish Influenza while in the performance of his duties.
He and other officers had been assisting the Police Surgeon and Coroner with moving corpses of victims and other tasks due to the outbreak of influenza in the city.
At least 30 police officers, including the police chief, had contracted influenza and were confined to their homes. In October and November of 1918, over 6,000 citizens were diagnosed with the Spanish Influenza in Denver, with 500 deaths.
Patrolman Walsh served with the Denver Police Department for nine years.
Effects of Spanish Flu on Law Enforcement
From 1918 to early 1919, the Spanish Flu pandemic infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.
The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Spanish Flu will likely never be known, but ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission to never forget the fallen.
Bio
- Age 50
- Tour 9 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Duty related illness
- Incident Date Wednesday, November 20, 1918
Most Recent Reflection
View all 2 ReflectionsThank you for your service.
Tim Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol 5342 ( retired )
October 31, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: December 29, 2022

Corporal Ray Charles Hamilton
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: December 24, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Corey D. McElroy
Garrett County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: December 21, 2022

Detective Paul Daniel Newell
Benton County Sheriff's Office, AR
EOW: December 17, 2022

Chief of Police Joe Carey
Brodnax Police Department, VA
EOW: December 16, 2022