Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our Officer Christopher Walsh who died in the line of duty after being shot while attempting to rescue a shooting victim at the Kum & Go at 2885 E. Chestnut Expressway on March 16.

Officer Walsh served with the Springfield Police Department since 2016 and was assigned as a patrol officer after graduating with the 68th Academy. He was also an Army veteran, active in the U.S. Army Reserves for 10 years.

Officer Walsh was a Springfield native. He graduated from Glendale High School before attending Ozark Technical Community College where he completed the EMT-B course. He was 32 years old and is survived by his wife and daughter.

“Chris died a hero, rushing in without regard to his own safety to protect members of his community. His courageous actions serve as an example to us all,” said Chief of Police Paul Williams.

On March 15 at 11:24 p.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Battlefield Road and Lone Pine Avenie regarding a shooting. While en route, multiple shooting calls were received, including one at 2100 S Ingram Mill and another at Sunshine and Highway 65.

Another call came in at 11:43 and officers were dispatched to the Kum & Go located at 2885 E. Chestnut Expressway regarding another shooting. We believe one individual is responsible for each of these incidents. Callers at the Kum & Go reported a vehicle crashing at the scene and an armed suspect entering the store and shooting customers and employees.

Officer Josiah Overton and Officer Christopher Walsh were first to arrive and were immediately fired upon by the suspect.

Other responding officers arrived, removed the two injured officers and made entry into the store where they found the suspect deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

At the scene, they also located three other deceased individuals and one person with a gunshot wound. That person was transported to a local hospital were treated.

Unfortunately, Officer Christopher Walsh suffered a fatal gunshot wound and passed away at the hospital.

Officer Josiah Overton sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital.

Officer Overton has been with SPD for two years and Officer Walsh was with SPD for three and a half years and was a U.S. Army veteran who remained active in the Army Reserves.

Both of these officers showed significant bravery and were heroic in their actions.  We ask for your thoughts and prayers for the officers’ families and the members of the Springfield Police Department.

How to help Officer Walsh’s family

To focus the fundraising efforts for Officer Walsh’s family, the Springfield Police Officers’ Association has worked with Metro Credit Union to set up a relief fund. All donations made to this account will be for Officer Walsh’s family and will assist in providing a blanket of protection for his loved ones.

If you are wishing to donate, please do not bring monetary donations to the Springfield Police Department. We ask that you follow the below instructions:

Visit Metro Credit Union (Downtown) 447 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65806.

Due to current public health concerns, it is requested that donations be dropped off via the drive-thru or overnight dropbox.

When donating over $1,000 please provide your legal name and address. Please make checks payable to “SPOA Relief Fund.”

Online donations can be made through the SPOA website or on the Springfield Police Department website.

Anyone wishing to mail a donation can address it to the Springfield Police Officers’ Association at 235 N Benton Ave. Springfield, MO 65806.

To provide Officer Walsh’s family with privacy, any questions regarding fundraising can be directed to the Springfield Police Officers’ Association Treasurer Brandon Keene 417-920-2800.