Sergeant Walter Lee Soileau, Jr.

Sergeant Walter Lee Soileau, Jr. | Cameron Parish Sheriff's Department, Louisiana
Cameron Parish Sheriff's Department, Louisiana
Sergeant Walter Lee Soileau, Jr.

Cameron Parish Sheriff's Department, Louisiana

End of Watch Wednesday, August 19, 2020

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Walter Lee Soileau, Jr.

Sergeant Walter Soileau died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Sergeant Soileau had served with the Cameron Parish Sheriff's Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 62
  • Tour 13 years
  • Badge 562

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Tuesday, July 28, 2020

communicable disease, COVID-19

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Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the lives and sacrifices of all America’s Peace Officers. They died serving us. Help us never forget. Help us celebrate their lives and honor their sacrifices. Be with the families of these fallen peace officers. Comfort them and give them Your strength and peace. Guide us as we seek to take care of the families of these fallen heroes. May we care for them with integrity. In commemorating the deaths of these fallen heroes, help us also to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition from this earthly life to the heavenly life yet to come. This assurance was guaranteed to all believers upon the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to that life to come with joy and anticipation. Thank You, Lord God, for hearing this prayer. In the mighty and holy name of Christ Jesus, Your dear Son, I pray. Amen.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” [Isaiah 6:8 ESV]

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, FCPO-USA
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

June 14, 2023

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