Content Warning: This section mentions death by suicide and sexual assault.

Walt Longmire is the narrator and protagonist of The Cold Dish. As the sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, he leads the investigation into Cody’s death, which provides the novel’s central mystery. Born and raised in northern Wyoming, Walt moved away from the area only twice—once to attend college in California, and once as a Marine in the Vietnam War. Walt’s experiences during the war leave a lasting impression on him, as he comes to despise violence even as he takes up law enforcement in the hopes of protecting those who are marginalized. Walt’s sensitivity and concern for others are deep and consistent but occasionally covered by his wry sense of humor. He deploys his humor to good effect, even under bleak circumstances like at crime scenes. His sense of humor is a coping mechanism that helps him face life’s harsh realities. For instance, when Dorothy tells him that someone else took the funny section of the paper, Walt quickly retorts, “I usually find the whole paper funny” (81). In addition to his humor, Walt is also known for his refined artistic sensibilities, and he alludes to a variety of cultural works.