| |
Walton Retires from T.P.D.
Scott Walton has crossed the threshold, leaving
behind the ranks of the Tulsa Police Department and walking into the
leadership of the Rogers County Sheriff's Office.
Walton retired from the Tulsa Police Department, serving his last
day on December 25th. His next role will be that of Sheriff of
Rogers County when he takes office on January 5th.
For Walton it was a bittersweet moment at his Saturday night
retirement party, held at the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.
The night marked the end of a three decade career that was marked
with far many more ups than downs.
“It's sad to say goodbye to the TPD, said Walton. “For twenty-seven
years this (TPD) has been my home. This is where many of my friends
are; this is where a lot of memories were made.”
Walton began his career as a patrolman in the early 1980's but moved
through the divisions of the department, chalking up experiences
most officers never get around to. In his twenty-seven years Walton
has been a K-9 officer, assigned to ground breaking task forces,
served as a detective, worked street crimes (vice) and helped combat
auto theft. Walton's eclectic journey through the police department
culminated into him becoming the public face of the Tulsa Police
Department where his personable skills with the citizens earned the
public's confidence.
Walton's most revered role in the department was as the coordinator
of the greatly successful CrimeStoppers program. Walton learned to
bring the public, the media, and local businesses together to fight
crime. While serving as the CrimeStoppers coordinator the Tulsa area
program was named the most successful program in the United States,
boasting a 77% arrest rate for featured cases.
“CrimeStoppers involves a great deal of work but it's well worth
it,” Walton said.
As a part of his platform, Walton said he wants to bring the lessons
he learned as the CrimeStoppers Coordinator to Rogers County. “I
know the benefit of creating partnerships between law enforcement
and the public. It's an unbeatable team and I have every reason to
believe that it can benefit Rogers County.”
Walton said he's proud of his accomplishments that have transpired
at the TPD but he's most grateful for the friendships he's made over
the years. “Those friendships cannot be replaced; they cannot be
replicated,” he said.
In as much as Walton was saddened to see the close of his Tulsa
Police career, he is equally excited about his upcoming role as the
Rogers County Sheriff.
“Rogers County is home,” Walton says, “There's no other role or
responsibility I can imagine that could mean more to me than serving
as Sheriff of Rogers County.”
Walton says that he has watched Rogers County undergo a lot of
growth that doesn't appear to be ending soon. “It's the fastest
growing county in Oklahoma and that growth demands a lot of work to
be done. “Responsible, effective law enforcement is part of the
foundation that communities are built on and I am overwhelmingly
proud that the people of Rogers County chose me to lead their law
enforcement,” he said.
Walton will be officially sworn in as Sheriff of Rogers County on
January 5th.
“I'm ready to get to work,” Walton said.
|
|
