Retiring police chief Walsh honored by LDS Church

Menifee police chief Pat Walsh is presented the Family Values Award by LDS Stake President Michael Gray.

Contributed content:

Menifee Police Chief Patrick A. Walsh was awarded the Family Values Award by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Menifee. The award ceremony took place on Monday inside the Menifee City Police Department headquarters.

Chief Walsh has served in law enforcement for 38, beginning in Los Angeles County in 1984. He joined the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon in 1992, then became police chief in Lompoc, California in 2014. In 2019, the city of Menifee hired Chief Walsh to create their first city police department.

Chief Walsh recently retired from the force and was replaced as police chief by Ed Varso.

Chief Walsh has been an energetic partner to the faith-based communities of Menifee. His service includes leading the city in prayer at the National Day of Prayer services, raising public awareness over the dangers of fentanyl and illegal drugs, responding to the escalating impact COVID-19 had on domestic violence, poverty, isolation, and suicides, and improving homeless awareness and outreach.

In February 2021, Chief Walsh took part in a special broadcast to six congregations, leading a “Love at Home” initiative that asked for fasting and prayer for Menifee families who were going through significant Covid-related challenges. During the broadcast, he said, “I’m a big proponent of prayer, and I think when whole churches beseech God, he listens.”

The “Family Values Award” from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints aims to honor the influential efforts of moral, upstanding community leaders who share common family values and strive to bless communities. A statement from the Church says, “We believe that happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

David Foust, who administered the award, said, “We believe that Menifee Police Chief Pat Walsh holds to and has demonstrated these same values, and so we honor him today. Thank you, Chief Walsh, for your outstanding service to our community.”