Patrick Walsh dies by

single gunshot



STAFF REPORT

ALAMOSA — Former three time Colorado high school state champion wrestler and Alamosa native, Patrick Walsh, was killed early Saturday morning in a shooting at a Cheyenne Wells, Colo. home.

Cheyenne County Sheriff Virgil Drescher told the Valley Courier Monday night that Walsh died of a single gunshot wound to the chest at 890 S. First St., Cheyenne Wells. Drescher said the sheriff’s office received a 911 call from the address at 1:32 a.m. Sat., April 5.

Orval Sniff of Cheyenne Wells has been arrested on suspicion of first degree murder in the early morning shooting in the southeastern Colorado farm and ranch community.

Walsh was transported by the Cheyenne County Ambulance service to Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells where he died of a single gunshot wound according to Drescher.

The weekend investigation was coordinated by the sheriff’s office with assistance by special agents from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff said Monday night he could not release any other details of the shooting or of the murder suspect, Sniff, on orders from the district attorney.

Walsh became one of Alamosa High School’s and Colorado’s most celebrated wrestlers under the coaching of Gary Ramsttetter.

Walsh accomplished the rare feat of winning three straight Class 4A State Championships, helping the Mean Moose win back-to-back state titles in 1998 and 1999, and a runner-up finish in 2000.

Walsh’s first state title came in 1998 at 112 lbs. He followed with the state title at 125 lbs. in 1999, and then capped his career as a senior in 2000 as he won his third state championship at 130 lbs. and was named the 4A State Tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.