Nelson mourns death of retired Chief Constable Dan Maluta
By Nelson Daily Staff
Police, family and friends in Nelson are in mourning following the sudden death of retired Chief Constable Dan Maluta.
Maluta died Monday after sustaining serious injuries following an ATV accident Friday in Trail. Maluta, known as “Dan the Man” passed away Monday at Kelowna Hospital surrounded by family.
Maluta retired from Nelson Police Department as Chief Constable in 2011. The father of three daughters — Annie, Vanessa and Lauren — started his career in September of 1981 as a Constable with the Vancouver Police Department, working a variety of squads and units during the first nine years of his career.
However, growing up in Trail, returning to the Kootenays was a life-long ambition.
In April of 1990, Maluta joined the Nelson Police Department, working in patrol and GIS (General Investigative Section) while graduating through the ranks as corporal and sergeant before being appointed to Inspector in January of 2000.
In October of 2001, he was appointed the 19th Chief Constable of the Nelson Police Department.
Maluta made numerous positive changes in the department during his nine-year career as Chief Constable, including creating many of the integration agreements that are still in place with the local RCMP, obtaining the police badge and flag for the department conferred by the Governor General and creating the first departmental strategic plan.
When he retired in 2011, Maluta received recognition for his outstanding service to policing at the annual Police Honours event in Victoria.
Maluta is the youngest of three, born in the proud Italian community of Trail BC. He was a devoted father, grandfather, wonderful friend, outdoor enthusiast, wine-maker extraordinaire and self-taught mechanic with a passion for restoring Land Cruisers. After retiring from an illustrious career in law enforcement, he was able to pursue all his passions with vigor.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Rod and Gun Club in Nelson, BC on June 9th, doors open at 3 p.m.
Donations can be made to the Aimee Beaulieu Transition House Fund through Nelson Community Services, the Nelson Victim Services Unit, the Trail Regional Hospital or the Kootenay Lake Hospital.
