Shane Walsh
Shane Walsh is a former sheriff’s deputy in a small Georgia town; he was Rick’s partner in the sheriff’s department and best friend since high school. Shane harbors feelings for Lori, and the two begin a sexual relationship after Shane tells Lori that Rick is dead. Among the group of survivors, Shane initially acts as the de facto leader, a position he enjoys. He has always lived in Rick's shadow and, while he never consciously resented it, he relishes his newfound position of authority. Shane is the primary antagonist in Season 2, becoming increasingly prone to bouts of irrational violence and bloodlust, which gradually develop from the first season. In an act of self-preservation, he sacrifices Otis to a hoard of walkers so he can escape. His conscience gradually deteriorates after this, which results in him killing all of Hershel's captive walkers and attempting to kill Randall and Rick when they try to free him. Shane later stages Randall's escape, and kills him in the woods. He uses this as a lore to kill Rick so he can be leader and have Lori all to himself, but Rick ultimately kills Shane in an act of self-defense. After Shane dies, he reanimates as a walker, tries to bite Rick, and is finally brought down by Carl. In "Made to Suffer", Rick mistakenly believes he sees Shane during the attack on Woodbury, walking through the smoke where "Shane" fatally shoots Oscar before Rick shoots and kills him. When Rick inspects the body, it turns out to be that of an ordinary Woodbury soldier and not Shane.