Mary Walsh was appointed Chief of Staff to Sheriff Kolender when he was first elected in 1994.  She serves as the Sheriff's confidante, facilitating special requests involving the Sheriff. 

Walsh oversees the Executive Staff, office procedures and protocols.  She is responsible for reviewing all informational and action items that come into the Office of the Sheriff.  She works closely with the Sheriff, Undersheriff and Command Staff on operational and management issues. 

Walsh represents the Sheriff on various internal and external committees.  She is the Sheriff’s liaison to the Honorary Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Law Enforcement Foundation, and Sheriff’s Museum.

Walsh is a member of the California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA) and San Diego Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.  She is also a graduate of LEAD San Diego.

Walsh possesses a lifetime teaching credential from San Diego Community Colleges.  Currently, she teaches newly elected sheriffs on the “Transition to the Office of Sheriff".  She also provides administrative assistants training.

Ms. Walsh has been with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department since 1973.  She has worked in various areas of the department, including Licensing, Internal Affairs and Personnel.  For nearly 10 years, she worked as a Confidential Assistant to Sheriff John Duffy who served 20 years as Sheriff.