A police detective from Boston has died after the flu lead to him developing sepsis and cardiac complications.
Mark Walsh, 51, was a decorated active duty police detective, the Boston Police Department said in a statement announcing his death on Feb. 20. As his family shared in his obituary, he died from “flu, sepsis and subsequent cardiac trauma.”
The Milton, Mass., dad of two — he shared John Daniel and Conor William with wife Christine — first arrived at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital with trouble breathing, a GoFundMe established to support his family says.
Shortly after arriving at the hospital, he suffered a “cardiac event,” according to the GoFundMe. Although he was first classified in stable condition, he developed sepsis, a dangerous fatal condition when the body responds improperly to an infection.
Although most people will recover from the flu within two weeks, the virus can cause complications that can become deadly, Verywell Health explains. Along with sepsis and cardiac complications like myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), the flu can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and multi-organ failure.
“Some people are at higher risk of developing serious complications from flu,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says. “If you are at higher risk, flu vaccination is especially important,” as it reduces your risk of serious disease if you do contract the virus.
Walsh was called a “gentle giant” who “effortlessly slid zingers into family functions.” He loved to travel — particularly, to Donegal, Dublin, Argentina, Chicago, and Savannah — to experience how their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations compared to that of his native South Boston. His family recalled how he loved swimming with his sons, and cheering on his wife when she ran the Boston Marathon. He was also a first responder after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Boston police remembered him as “highly regarded,” and highlighted career achievements such partnering with a community group “to share insights into gangs so that they could better understand and support youth in foster care.”
As his family recalled in his obituary, “Mark’s journey through life was a testament to the power of kindness, the strength of family bonds, and the enduring impact of a life well-lived.”
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