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Patrick Edward Walsh

Age : 64

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 08/02/2025

Location : 680 NM-522

City : Arroyo Hondo

County : Taos

State : New Mexico

Agency : Taos County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Donivan Byers

Cause of Death : Asphyxiation

Event : Killed by police during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/02/2025, deputies with the Taos County Sheriff's Office responded to the Midtown Lounge in Arroyo Hondo after receiving reports of an intoxicated and disruptive man. Deputies contacted Patrick Edward Walsh, 64, and attempted to take him into custody. During the encounter, Walsh resisted being handcuffed and deputies restrained him on the ground before placing him in handcuffs. Surveillance video and deputy lapel camera footage later released by the sheriff's office documented the encounter.
After being restrained, Walsh became unresponsive. Deputies immediately began CPR and requested emergency medical assistance. Walsh was transported to Holy Cross Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator initially advised the Taos County Sheriff's Office that Walsh's death was the result of a medical episode.
An autopsy later determined the cause of death was toxic effects of cocaine and ethanol in the setting of physical restraint, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. The New Mexico State Police investigated the in-custody death. The Taos County Sheriff's Office later released surveillance and lapel camera video of the incident after public requests for transparency.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.taosnews.com/public-safety/man-dies-in-deputys-custody/article_0234b463-efa3-5e68-9040-b8746e3070f1.html
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/taos-county-sheriff-death-of-patrick-walsh-while-in-custody-was-due-to-medical-episode/article_5e59a1dc-3177-42a8-a2fd-f70c70054355.html
https://www.taosnews.com/public-safety/sheriff-releases-midtown-lounge-lapel-video/article_a1016fd0-d5ed-50cb-911e-b3c26eabf6bd.html