Steve Walpole, who served as Scotts Valley police chief from 1986 to 2001, died Dec. 21 of bone cancer. He was 75.
Past and present Scotts Valley police chiefs met for breakfast in 2014. From left: Gerald Pittenger, Steve Walpole Sr., Tom Bush, Steve Lind, and John Weiss.
He was born on July 17, 1948, in Durant, Oklahoma. He had one brother (John) and three sisters (Sherry, Sue, and Rosemary) who all moved to California as children.
In his teenage years, he met his one and only true love, Sandy Walpole, at Soquel High School. Steve married Sandy shortly after graduation and they were together ever since. In 2023 they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
After graduating high school, Steve began working full-time as a plumber and volunteered as a reserve police officer on the weekends for the newly incorporated City of Scotts Valley. He decided law enforcement was his passion, so he ended his plumbing career and was sworn in as a full-time police officer in 1972.
On his last day before retiring in 2001, Chief State Walpole Sr. did one shift of patrol with his son, Steve Walpole Jr. who was employed by the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department.
Steve was a well-respected officer who quickly rose through the ranks, and was promoted to chief in 1986, the second man to hold that position. Steve’s guiding hand as police chief helped the city through many difficult times, including the 1989 earthquake, which required emergency assistance throughout the town and the state. Steve received many awards for his work in law enforcement, including letters of commendation from Presidents George H. Bush and President Bill Clinton.
Not only did Steve serve the town he loved as a police officer, he served his country in the Army National Guard for 6 years and was a trained tank commander.
Counter-clockwise from bottom left: Steve Walpole Sr., Capt. Tom Bush, Lt. Steve Lind and administrative assistant Joann Pursley made up the leadership team from 1986 to 2001.
He was a steadfastly religious man who routinely attended San Agustin Catholic Church in Scotts Valley. Despite his many accomplishments, Steve will be remembered for his personality and who he was. At his core, he was an honest, ethical, outgoing man with an infectious sense of humor and a quick wit. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
He passed on his passion for law enforcement to his son, Steve Walpole Jr., who became Scotts Valley police chief in 2017.
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A funeral mass at San Agustin Catholic Church was private.
At the Scotts Valley Police page on Facebook, fellow officers and local residents shared stories about Steve.
A community celebration of Steve’s life is being planned for locals to share their memories and reflections. That date has yet to be announced.
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Photos courtesy of Scotts Valley Police Department
TOP PHOTO: Steve Walpole Sr. with his K9, Duke., 1973.
Steve Walpole Sr. with Chief Gerald Pittenger, Sgt. Tom Bush and Sgt. Steve Smith during the department inspection in 1979.
Steve Walpole Sr., in green shirt, attends his last SVPD Retiree BBQ in August.