Charles Norman Fulton

Charles “Chuck” Norman Fulton passed away on November 6, 2025, in the presence of loving family after a brief illness. Chuck deeply loved his family and community, saw the good in all people, and treated everyone he met with respect. Chuck’s life will continue to inspire his family.

Born on June 27, 1947, in Walla Walla, Washington, to Ruth and Donald “Don” Fulton, Chuck joined his big sister Donna, whom he spent a lifetime pestering. Chuck attended Green Park Elementary, Pioneer Junior High School, Walla Walla High School (class of 1965), Yakima Valley Community College, Walla Walla Community College, and Eastern Oregon University, where he studied criminal justice.

Chuck was an Eagle Scout and loved the outdoors, spending time “jeeping” in the Blue Mountains, camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting. In 1969, Chuck met and married the love of his life, Jeanie (Heath). When their daughter was born in 1971, Chuck bolted a child’s car seat to the floorboards of his jeep and continued to enjoy the mountains with Jeanie and his young family.

In September 1969, with a wedding date scheduled, Chuck followed his passion and joined the Walla Walla Police Department as a patrol officer. Due to his hard work, leadership skills, and Jeanie’s support, Chuck rose quickly through the ranks at the department, becoming Chief at the young age of 36 in 1983.

During his law enforcement career, Chuck was a trail-blazing leader who championed community-oriented policing, advocated for the hiring of women and people of color so the department could more accurately represent the community it served, and supported programs such as the Citizen Academy, Crime Free Rental Housing, and Block Watch and therapeutic court programs to help decrease recidivism. Chuck and his team were instrumental in bringing many Federal grants to Walla Walla to help fund local law enforcement and community policing programs, such as the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program. He was an active and lifetime member of the Washington Association of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs and the Washington State Crime Prevention Association.

In 2009, with the police department crammed into insufficient space in the basement of City Hall, Chuck led a campaign to pass a bond measure to fund a new, state-of-the-art police facility. That facility was completed in 2012, shortly before Chuck retired after 42 years in law enforcement, including 28 years as Chief.

One of Chuck’s deepest values was service to his community and family. Once honorably discharged from the Army Reserves after 14 years of service, he turned his attention to volunteering in the Walla Walla Valley with organizations that supported youth and strengthened the community. He served as president of the Community Center for Youth, Kiwanis, and the Sherwood Trust. Chuck supported Jeanie in her career as Walla Walla County 4-H Program Coordinator by volunteering with local 4-H programs and by spending countless hours providing behind-the-scenes support.

Chuck is survived by Jeanie, his wife of 56 years; his children, Patricia (Robert), Natasha (Byarn), and Sandy (Jeff); his grandchildren, Natalia, Conner, Kaitlyn, and Evan; and his sister, Donna Price.

A celebration of Chuck’s life is scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Blue Mountain Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sherwood Trust, Walla Walla Area Crime Watch, or Walla Walla 4-H Youth Program through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.