Walter Broussard, a 24-year veteran of the UC Davis Police Department who had been assigned most recently to the Sacramento campus, died July 4 of complications of a heart attack.

Officer Broussard, 62, had served as a patrol officer, traffic officer, field training officer and K-9 handler. He worked as a Yolo County sheriff’s deputy for seven years before joining the UC Davis Police Department.

“Our small department is numb … losing a good friend and officer,” Capt. Mark Brunet said.

Broussard had been working on the Sacramento campus for about the last three years. “I know many at the hospital knew and loved him,” Brunet said. “And he had made the same kinds of connections on the Davis campus.

“Walt was a kind and honest man whose approach to life was genuine and sincere,” Brunet said. “His energy was contagious, and many were blessed to work around him.”

Broussard is survived by his wife, Mary Grace; and children. Services are pending.

Discussing our loss

The UC Davis community is invited to come together this week at a pair of briefings (in person and remote), one on each campus, by Police Chief Joe Farrow, remembering officer Broussard and offering support to community members. Representatives of the Academic and Staff Assistance Program, or ASAP, and UC Davis Health’s peer support team will join Farrow at the briefings, to be held as follows:

• Sacramento — 9:30 a.m. Thursday (July 7), Room 1001 in the hospital’s North Addition. Attend in person or join remotely.
• Davis — 9:30 a.m. Friday (July 8), Emergency Operations Center, located in the Transportation Services Building. Attend in person or join remotely.