Walter Frank Staples, Sr.

Walter Frank Staples, Sr., passed away on August 19th in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Son of Veretta Cummings and Henry Burdette, he was born on November 8, 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Southside High School in Newark, New Jersey in 1963, and shortly after, entered into the United States Air Force serving proudly in Vietnam, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. During that time, he married Wanda Ray on July 18, 1970 whom he met at the Original Glorious Church of God in Christ Jesus. Two years later he retired from the Air Force and joined the Metropolitan Police Department.

Walter (a.k.a. Dark Vader) was a part of an accelerated training program that allowed him to immediately become a part of an undercover drug task force. He was later promoted to Sergeant and was chosen to run the Homicide Division. He retired from the police department in 1995, only to further his career at the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Walter was also responsible for writing the medicinal cannabis laws for the District of Columbia, along with inspecting dispensaries making sure they were up to code. After 21 years of federal service he retired and finally hung up his cuffs.

In his spare time, Walter enjoyed playing cards (specifically, Bid whist and spades), boating and photography. He named his boat Deuces Wild, demonstrating his immense love for both card playing and boating.  Walter is survived by his wife, Wanda, their children Anthony Staples, Walter Staples, Jr. (Sharie), Kerri Davis (Carlton), Keisha Staples, and Kelli Staples, 18 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. His sisters Ramona Bennett, Darlene Burdette (deceased), Dorothea Yvonne Dewberry, brother Ronald Burdette and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

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Thursday, August 29, 2024

Sharon Bible Fellowship Church

6117 Seabrook Rd. Lanham, MD  20706

Visitation:  10:00 - 11:00AM

Service:  11:00 AM

Interment:  Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Military Honors

Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD @ 1:00 PM

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