More detail on this person: WALTER J GALLAGHER of Signal Mountain, Tennessee - he was the son of Philip and Jess Gallagher. Walt grew up in Philadelphia, attended the U.S. Marine Corps officers candidate school upon graduating from LaSalle College. He served 2 tours in Vietnam, was a motor pool officer and then in charge of the perimeter at the Marble Mountain Marine base, where he received the Navy Commendation Medal for rescuing 3 Marines from drowning. Walt then went to flight school and became a heavy transport helicopter pilot for his 2nd tour of duty, which included flying supplies and ammunition under fire into the besieged Marine Base in Que Son. Walt left the Marines in the early 70's, and joined a former squadron colleague on the Winter Park Police Department as a patrolman. His children fondly remember the sounds over his police radio, living with a large German Shepherd K-9 dog. Using his GI benefits, he earned his Masters in both Criminal Justice and Business Administration and was a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He supported his family by working overtime shifts, teaching at community college and serving as the commanding officer of the local Marine Corps Reserve. In 1980, he joined the Orange County Sherriff's department as a Sector Commander and was elected Sherriff of Orange County in 1988. He retired from public service in 2011 and spent many hours talking to inmates in local prisons via the Kairos ministry. Suzanne led him to Signal Mountain, TN where enjoyed his final years. Preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne Shea Gallagher; siblings, Philip, Charles and Jack; children, Michael (Trish), Suzanne, Tim (Jeanne) and Erin and grandchildren, Joseph, Daniel, Charlie, Alex, Katie, William and Michelle. Lane Funeral Home in Chattanooga, TC is serving the family. Published in Orlando Sentinel June 4, 2020.
Burial information: Cremated
This information was last updated 06/08/2020
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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