Michael "Mike" John Walter

On May 1, 2012, Michael (Mike) John Walter was killed in the line of duty in his role as Detective for the Pearl Police Department in Pearl, Mississippi. He was 37 years old. Mike was born on September 23, 1974 in San Diego, California. As a child he was a natural athlete and a highly talented young baseball and soccer player. Mike had an adventurous, enthusiastic and strong-willed nature from day one, which you could see when he’d jump from rock to rock or climb walls at the drop of a hat. He was always in motion. Mike was a joyful, exuberant boy who grew to be a kind, generous, and caring man who touched the lives of everyone around him, young and old.

After graduating from Rancho Bernardo High School, Mike attended Palomar College in San Marcos, California. Mike played eight years of professional baseball: 1993-2000. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1993 and played in the Gulf Coast league Astros (Rookie). He played with Quad City River Bandits (Single-A) in 1994. Nineteen-ninety-five was spent with Kissimmee Cobras (Single-A). In 1996 he went back to the Quad City River Bandits, where he had a breakout year, and he played finally in Jackson, MS, from 1997-2000. The first three seasons in Jackson he played for the Jackson Generals, which was the Houston Astros' Double-A Texas League team at the time. The final season he played for the Independent League, Jackson Senators.

Mike settled in Mississippi, where he had met the love of his life, Jeanne Ward. They were married in Nevada in November 2003. The pride and joy of Mike’s life was his daughter Bailey Jean, born to Mike and Jeanne in August of 2000. Bailey carries on Mike’s legacy of high spirits, intelligence, athletic talents and generous nature.

Before his police work Mike worked at a variety of jobs; he did custom interior painting and worked as a postal carrier, as well as being foremost a family man. Mike came into his own when he joined the Pearl Police Department in February of 2009, using his wide-ranging talents to serve others. It was heartwarming for all to see him thrive in this environment. The position called upon Mike’s natural charm and good nature as well as his discipline and language skills, and he rose to every task, and was quickly promoted to the rank of Detective in October of 2010. Mike was so happy to be a part of the Pearl Police Department team, and he spoke often of his respect and admiration for his co-workers.

Mike’s love for games extended from the playing field to the scrabble board; he was as smart as he was athletic. He loved the challenge of playing golf with his father; and he loved to cook and to eat. Mike was always in touch; he called, visited, and vacationed with his mother and father and brother often. He was a good listener and able to talk with anyone about anything, and his nearly deaf grandfather could always understand Mike’s words. Mike always insisted on making lemonade from his grandparents’ lemon tree when he visited them. He loved animals, starting with his childhood dog Scruffy.

And, most of all, he was a devoted husband and father to Jeanne and Bailey. As Pearl Police Lieutenant Butch Townsend has said, Mike was a warm guy who smiled all the time, and his wife and daughter were a big part of that. "Seldom did a smile leave his face, and his smiles were never bigger than when he would speak of his wife and daughter.”

A true hero in so many ways, both personally and professionally, Mike lived with integrity. His love for his family knew no bounds, nor did his generosity toward his family and friends and community, evidenced by daily loving acts for his family and friends, coaching Little League and soccer, and working to protect the citizens of Pearl. Mike Walter lives on through his wife Jeanne and his daughter Bailey, his parents, Judy and John Walter of San Diego, CA, his brother Mark of Oceanside, CA, his grandparents, Tom and Betty Haver of Vista, CA, and his aunts and cousins and many loving friends, relatives, and colleagues at the Pearl Police Department.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Pinelake Church in Flowood. Officer Walter will lie in state from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Pinelake Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday evening at Pinelake Church and from 12:00 Noon until service hour on Saturday. Wright & Ferguson Funeral Directors are in charge of services.

An online guest book is available at www.wrightferguson.com