TPD Lead Homicide Detective Takes Timeout To Connect With Kids

Tulsa homicide detectives have worked a lot of overtime this year investigating the city’s 64 murders; the two most recent happened Wednesday.

In the midst of one of those investigations, there was a nice moment between Tulsa's lead homicide detective and a group of kids.

The basketball court is not where you typically find Sergeant Dave Walker; but on Wednesday, he said it just felt right. 

“That deal yesterday was, they were out there playing right in the middle of a murder scene,” he said.

So on break, Walker posted to play, too - even though shooting hoops isn't his strongest suit.

“I think I was 1 for 20...It was kind of like high school,” he said.

But it wasn't about winning; Walker said it was about interacting with a group of kids on a more personal level.

“I think it was neat. I think they had fun, I had fun,” the sergeant said. “Maybe that will stick in his head that we weren't out asking for a driver's license or taking his dad to jail or mom to jail.”

Walker's been with TPD for almost 35 years. He's a familiar face as the head of TPD's homicide unit and the primary investigator to talk with media about Tulsa murders.

“Most generally when I show up it's not good for somebody that day,” he said.

Last year, Walker said his team solved more than 90 percent of the city's murders.

But what he does when he thinks no one's watching might be making an even bigger difference.

And when his time with TPD comes to an end, Walker's work with Tulsa's youth will just be beginning; only, he said it'll be on a baseball field instead of a basketball court.

“The scale that I want to do it on, it doesn't have to be north Tulsa, doesn't have to be south Tulsa, it just has to be kids. And, ya know, there's a lost a generation that can be saved,” Walker said.

That wasn't the first time for Walker to pick up a game of 2-on-2 with a group of kids during an investigation. He said he doesn't do it for recognition but to help show children there are ways to learn to succeed off the streets.