
DALLAS, TX – January 29, 2025 – On behalf of the Walsh family and with profound sadness, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) announces the passing of Retired Dallas Police Department Lieutenant Bill Walsh, co-founder of DCAC and relentless advocate for child protection and family violence prevention.
Throughout his life, Lt. Walsh dedicated himself to protecting children and families, leaving behind a legacy that set the gold standard for investigating crimes against children. Driven by his determination to make Dallas County safer for its youngest and most vulnerable residents, Lt. Walsh’s visionary leadership not only transformed the local approach to child protection but also created a safer world for children everywhere.
Lt. Walsh passed away January 28, 2025, at the age of 72, surrounded by his loving family, after a short but valiant battle with cancer. In his final chapter, Lt. Walsh fought courageously, exemplifying the strength, resilience, and compassion that defined his life and career. His impact extended far beyond our organization, leaving behind a legacy of hope, justice, and unwavering protection for the most defenseless among us.
DCAC was woven into the very fabric of his family life, including his wife of 52 years, Carole, and their children, Bill Walsh and Dianna Walsh Smoot. Though proud of what the Center accomplished, Lt. Walsh’s humility remained steadfast: he was quick to credit DCAC’s “guardian angel,” Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler, along with the countless community members, donors, partners, staff, and supporters who helped build and sustain the Center—demonstrating a shared, unwavering commitment to protecting the children of Dallas County.
A 26-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, Lt. Walsh served as a lieutenant and commander of the Crimes Against Children Unit, where he revolutionized the approach to protecting children and families. In 1988, his visionary leadership led to the creation of the Crimes Against Children Conference, held annually in Dallas. The first conference included 40 attendees and two speakers. Over the past 36 years, it has grown into the largest and most influential gathering of its kind worldwide with over 300 speakers and 5,000 attendees annually.
Just three years later, in 1991, Lt. Walsh co-founded the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, now recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocacy centers. His daughter, Dianna Smoot, serves as the Chief Education and Training Officer at DCAC, ensuring that his vision for protecting children endures and continues to inspire DCAC’s work.
Lt. Walsh’s expertise and dedication extended beyond Dallas. He served as a consultant for esteemed organizations such as the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Training and Technical Assistance Program to name a few.
His exceptional contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the 1990 Dallas Police Officer of the Year and the 1998 Dallas Police Supervisor of the Year – making him the only officer in the department’s history to receive both honors. Other notable awards include the State of Texas Special Achievement Award for Public Service, the 1999 Crime Victims Service Award from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) at the U.S. Department of Justice, and the 2011 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.
In 2008, DCAC honored Lt. Walsh’s extraordinary legacy by establishing an award in his name, ensuring that his vision and dedication would continue to inspire child protection professionals.
“Bill Walsh wasn’t just the co-founder of DCAC – he was the heart of its mission,” said Irish Burch, President and CEO of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. “His legacy will live on in every child whose life is changed and every professional who is empowered by the foundation he built. Bill’s unmatched dedication to protecting children will continue to inspire us for generations to come.”
Lt. Bill Walsh’s unwavering commitment to protecting society’s most susceptible members has fundamentally shaped the field of child protection. His pioneering efforts established practices and standards that continue to guide professionals worldwide, ensuring that his impact endures. While his passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter, his vision and dedication will remain a beacon of hope and inspiration to those who carry forward the mission he so passionately championed.
Services are pending.
At the request of the Walsh family, DCAC has established a memorial page at dcac.org/bill-walshs-legacy to honor Lt. Walsh’s legacy. Professional colleagues, friends, and supporters are invited to make a donation in his name to Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, ensuring that his vision and dedication to protecting children continue to make a lasting impact.
About DCAC
For over thirty years, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) has been dedicated to improving the lives of abused children in Dallas County and providing national leadership on child abuse issues. Since opening its doors in 1991 it has served more than 100,000 children and their eligible family members. The Center provides wraparound support services and evidence-based therapeutic counseling free of charge and brings together the agencies that handle criminal child abuse to work as a team reviewing, investigating, and prosecuting cases. DCAC’s coordinated approach results in more successful investigation and prosecution while providing a less traumatic response to children and families. For more information visit dcac.org.
CONTACT:
Stephanie Horne
Marketing Director, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
469-994-1629
Shorne@dcac.org