Boston Detective Dies After Contracting Flu

Mark Walsh, 51, was rushed to the hospital last week with trouble breathing. He had suffered a cardiac event shortly before arriving at the hospital, but was temporarily in stable condition.

by Staff

February 25, 2025

Boston Detective Dies After Contracting Flu — Boston Police Detective Mark Walsh died Feb. 20 from complications of the flu, including sepsis and cardiac trauma.
Credit:
Boston PD

1 min to read

A Boston Police detective died last Thursday after coming down with the flu, the department and his family said.

Mark Walsh, 51, was rushed to the hospital last week with trouble breathing. He had suffered a cardiac event shortly before arriving at the hospital, but was temporarily in stable condition, his friends wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser. It has raised more than $166,000 as of Monday, surpassing a $10,000 goal, Boston.com reports.

Walsh died in Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital on Feb. 20 “after a rapid courageous battle with the flu, sepsis and subsequent cardiac trauma,” his family wrote in an online obituary. Walsh’s death was also announced by the Boston Police Department.

Walsh joined the BPD in 2005. He spent time working on the department’s Youth Violence Strike Force and serving in the South End and Dorchester. He was stationed across from the Boston Marathon Finish line in 2013, and was one of the first responders who helped victims of the bombings. Walsh became a detective in 2021 and was assigned to work downtown.

Walsh is survived by his wife Christine and two sons.

Topics:Massachusetts agencies Off-Duty Deaths Patrol

More Patrol

Patrol•February 11, 2026

Versaterm Launches Innovation Summit for Public Safety Drone Operations

The two-day DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm will bring together public safety and industry experts to define best practices for scaling drone operations.

Patrol•by Wayne Parham•February 11, 2026

What Makes a Good LE Boot?

Learn what makes a boot good for police officers as POLICE visits with Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, who explains the features of boots and why each is needed in an LE boot.

Patrol•February 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.