Sheriff’s Dept. Announces Death of First Walnut Station Captain

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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LOS ANGELES - The first captain of what is now the Sheriff’s Walnut/Diamond Bar Station has passed away.

Tom Vetter, 85, passed away January 16. He was chosen to lead the newly-created Regional Walnut/San Dimas Station in 1987. He was promoted to commander in 1990 and served in various roles until retirement in 1994, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Vetter was born in St. Louis, Missouri June of 1935. He joined the Marine Corps in 1952 and served with the 1st Marine Division in Korea in 1954. After his active duty, he served in the Marine Corp. Reserve until retiring in 1983 as Lieutenant Colonel, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

In 1958, Vetter joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1958, graduating class No. 70 as the Honor Cadet. After serving in various positions, he was promoted to sergeant in 1969, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

“Most people did not know that Tom’s middle name was Marion, a name he was not fond of; When asked by people over the years what the ‘M’ stood for, he would reply, ‘Marine,’” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.