Theyve seen us. Matt: None. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. I carry that work ethic with me today as a homicide detective. A former member of the Fugitive Task Force, Det. It was senseless and it changed a lot of lives. Det. Updated: Jul. I think its very important that they see us as people, not as somebody coming into their neighborhood trying to run roughshod over them, Walker said after the meeting. The 36-year Tulsa police veterans final day before retirement is Aug. 31. Hes teaching several 4- and 5-year-olds baseball skills a couple of times a week. var bio = liElement[0] ? Walker follows up with the rhetorical question: Well, whats a cop going to think when you run? To relieve the stress of work, Brown spends his free time with family, including his three children. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I am a general assignment reporter who predominately writes about public health, public safety and justice reform. The show does accurately portray what goes into a homicide case, or at least as much as they can fit into an hour. One of the dad's came up to me and was telling me how much he loved the show and what not. Me: In the 12 years, what was your favorite unit of the police force you worked with? I often wonder what would motivate someone to do so? According to Brown, the best and most challenging part of a homicide investigation is interviewing a suspect and getting him to confess to his crime; getting inside a killers mind.. On September 26, 2016 Detective Frazier decided to step away from the Tulsa Police Department to pursue another opportunity outside of law enforcement. Gatwood enjoys fishing, hunting, riding his ATV, and spending time with his three daughters, one son, and grandchildren. Me: Wow. Being the son of a California Highway Patrolman, Det. Sowhy did he hire a guy with no sales experience? Det. How challenging are those aspects of your job and how do you stay positive? So you agree to go meet with them. Kennedy says, the excitement of the job and serving the public is what made me want to be a homicide detective. Kennedy doesnt mind the pressures of his job because he knows how important it is to his community. Me: So not even a thought to go back to one of those units? Dave Walker retired from the Tulsa Police Department on August 31, 2018 after 36 years as a Tulsa Police Officer, the last seven years as the supervisor of the homicide unit. The ability to talk to anyone - children, men, women, rich, poor, hard, soft - is huge as well. Website Navigation Jeff Gatwood has always enjoyed helping people, which led him to a career in law enforcement for the past 27 years. Where did he move? Working in homicide, he fully devotes himself to the singular cause of justice for the victim and their families. Dianna Baumann retired from Tulsa Police Department in May 2017. He trained many notable players Matt Holiday, Ubaldo Jimenez, Todd Helton, Larry Walker during his time in the big leagues, and went on to become a personal trainer before joining TPD in 2004. Two of his sons work in law enforcement and his third son works as an assistant baseball coach at a university. Matt Frazier was a star on the court during his time as a Trojan and earned himself a college basketball scholarship. McCoy is a graduate of University of Central Missouri, and has a wife and two children. I think having more officers would open up more resources which would allow us to be proactive as opposed to being reactive. document.querySelector("#bioModal .bio-section").innerHTML = bio; In these profiles, Jenks alums from all over the country, from multiple generations, and from a wide array of career paths, will share how their Jenks education set them up for success and how they have become leaders in their industry and community. I had 2 young kids who could now watch the show and after 12 years with the forceI don't knowI felt I had a choice to pivot cause I believed I was young enough to make a transition. On a high level - I was persuading people, strangers sometimes, to put their trust in me. We were on a week long trip trekking through the mountains of New Mexico. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. In the Gang unit, I had to sell myself that I was a Gangbanger. 27, 2020 at 8:38 PM PDT MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A former Memphis homicide detective with a reputation for outsmarting the bad guys is the latest victim of COVID-19 in the community. Jason White was drawn to law enforcement since he was a child. Sgt. Originally from Harper Woods, Michigan, Det. Midway through the week we are walking up a mountain side and I'm up ahead of the pack by myself and I start doing a review of my life. What happened? Matt: Yes. Of course I entertained it more and more and discussed among my colleagues for the rest of the trip but that was pretty much the decision point that brought me to where I am now. Watch Detective Frazier on the job in episodes of "The First 48.". But in the past two or three years Walker said there isnt an unsolved homicide in which detectives are flummoxed by who did it. Though no one was talking, Walker knew there were likely to be witnesses, given it was broad daylight and several people were peeking their heads out to watch police. Walker explained he wouldnt go over to the flag until the man walked away. Maybe tied for number 1. Family gives you perspective. He and his wife have raised three sons. I think that if I can do that I have succeeded. Chance of precipitation is 100%. He became an investigator to bring justice to victims and their families. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World, Tulsa Police Sgt. Det. All Rights Reserved. Sales to me in the corporate world wasn't any different. I dont stop thinking about the case until it is finished.. The unit under Walker is credited with a clearance rate of 98 percent. }); Get the latest on new episodes, bonus content, exclusive articles and more. In a homicide the victim cant speak. What does the future hold for you both personally and professionally? We as homicide detectives are the voice of the victim and I wanted to be that voice. Walker still isnt certain what his future entails once he enters retirement. Stitt expresses 'strong disagreement' with Oklahoma AG over Catholic charter school, More than 800 Oklahoma medical marijuana farms linked to organized crime, drug agency says, Meet the 2023 Mr. Inside/Mr. Instead of just telling my children and grandchildren what I did for a living, Ill actually be able to show them what I did as a homicide detective. Walker has served as lead homicide detective since 2011. Det. An Oklahoma native, Ronnie Leatherman spent eight years working in Narcotics before transferring to Homicide. To cope with the stress of the job, Baumann runs marathons and enjoys spending time with her husband and her two children. Was there one particular person at JHS who inspired you or made a lasting impact in your life? After watching the show where it ended with everyone saying their goodbyes to Matt as he packed up his desk, I quickly did a Linkedin search to find out what happened to Matt Frazier. Taking an inventory so to speak. Part of his drive comes from the desire to see the good guys win. I wanted to have a hand in giving my children and everyone else in the community a safer place to grow and succeed. You have to use your skills and knowledge to solve that crime and ultimately speak for the victim in the end. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. No Staff Template Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts I was with a group that included a couple of friends on the police force from various units that I had worked with over the last dozen years. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He enjoys his new pursuits and has more time with his family. Detective John Brown is a native of Beggs, Oklahoma. I knew her immediate reaction would be shock but I knew she would eventually be OK with it. Matt Frazier - Homicide Detective for Tulsa Police Department Matt Frazier was a star on the court during his time as a Trojan and earned himself a college basketball scholarship. event.preventDefault(); Calhoun likes to spend time with friends and family, working out or cheering on all of Houstons professional sports teams. Merritt had an uncanny knack for catching killers. It's a 2 way street. He and his wife now spend time giving back to the community of Tulsa. They know my name. He joined the Tulsa Police Department in 1989, and worked in Burglary, Robbery, Patrol and the Special Investigations Division before joining Homicide in 2012. Walker believes that family is very important to an investigator. Walker said community and spiritual leaders have done well to help foster communication and restraint in trying situations. Dave Walker listens to comments during the Mayors Policing and Community Coalition at Tulsa City Hall on Tuesday. And it just hit me: I didn't want to deal with the trash anymore. Kennedy is the recipient of numerous awards, including two Medals of Valor. Before his career in law enforcement, Det. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Me: Yes! They know who the culprit is because of tipsters, even if they dont have the evidence yet to draw criminal charges. Often before a game he would talk to the officers at the stadium about what it was like to be a police officer. If we all had to work each case as one person our solve rate would take a huge dive. Inspired to help out in the community, Frazier joined the Tulsa PD where he worked for ten years before joining the Homicide Unit in 2014. He worked as a Crime Scene Detective for six years prior to joining Homicide two years ago. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Frazier: As far as the murder rate goes, we hover around the average of 58-60 murders per year. What, if anything, can be done to reduce the crime rate and murder rate in Tulsa? document.getElementById("bioModal").className = "modal modal-show"; Lieutenant Brandon Watkins joined the Tulsa Police Department in July 1997. In the backyard, the man told Walker he would convey what he saw and that he knew of an item nearby related to the crime. Matt: Maybe for a millisecond right after the epiphany on that trip in June but again, having to deal with trash. Me: Did Homicide maybe be the tipping point though? Frazier: My fondest memories of Jenks are playing in the Frank Herald Gym. W.D. - Q&A's With Notable Jenks Grads, Where Are They Now? Consequently what theyre seeing is were solving all of these cases.. He enjoys a round or two of golf in his off time to relieve the stresses of the job./p>. Matt: Yes, I would say it probably helped it along. Matt: Yes sir. It's been 4 years now since you made the move from Homicide Detective, and some might say a TV star, to top Sales Executive at Stryker. It is rare for a random murder to occur. Why Matt? In my business I talk . Set as Default Template I'm in journalism to help make this community, state, country and, ultimately, world a better place. After attending Oral Roberts University on a basketball scholarship, Matt worked as a spring training strength and conditioning coach for the Colorado Rockies. In 1995, Det. But he couldnt be seen with the detective. Dave Walker was born in Aurora, Colorado and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. liElement[0].innerHTML : ""; He has received numerous medals for his outstanding police work, including a Medal of Valor for a fire rescue in 1987, a Chiefs Medal for leading a violent crime task force and a medal for leading an extensive federal narcotics investigation. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. After a stint in on partrol, Watkins moved to the Detective Division, where he worked in Child Crisis, Burglary, and Armed Robbery Units before moving to lead the Homicide Unit. He feels fortunate to be working in police work, requiring constant self-asssessment that one doesnt experience in other jobs. Dave Walker with Micheal Turner during the Mayors Policing and Community Coalition at Tulsa City Hall on Tuesday. Matt: I'm at a football tryout, a "combine" as some call it, for my son who was in grade 6. Since then, Stryker has hired 3 or 4 others from the force. Low around 36. Frazier: It is not easy but I have a strong supportive family that understands what we as police officers go through. Did he move numerous times since leaving in 2016? Det. How did it come so fast? Website Navigation Sergeant Schilling likes the challenges of homicide work and enjoys the payoff of seeing criminals brought to justice. I will always cherish those memories along with the relationships with teachers and life-long friends that were made over my time at Jenks High School. He noted that the city didnt burn after the controversial police killing of unarmed Terence Crutcher in 2016. Taking things home at night in homicide does not make for great dinner conversations. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. Below is my conversation with Matt about his switch from Homicide Detective - on a hit TV show don't forget - to top Sale Executive for the last 4 years with Styker: Me: Matt, thanks for chatting with me. Frazier: In police work there are always victims. Q&A With Notable Jenks' Grads. Does the show do a good job of capturing what actually occurs in an investigation? 15+ years in Start-up Recruitment. Each week throughout the 2016-17 school year, the new Where Are They Now? Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Dave Walker listens to comments during the Mayor's Policing and Community Coalition at Tulsa City Hall on Tuesday, August 14th, 2018. Sgt. During a game, he wrote his name and phone number on a baseball and threw it to Nicole in the stands. Then cast your vote, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, State board approves new academic standards with Ryan Walters' last-minute revisions, Jury awards $82 million to estate of woman who died in Tulsa County jail in 2013, Meet the 2023 Ms. Inside/Ms. Sometimes it comes down to what you can trust in your gut and how you read people. If you have ever seen the hit TV series on A&E, it follows various police homicide units throughout the USA in their attempts to solve murders. I thought about it, and 3 months later I was somewhere else. I see it all the time. Rydens interest in law enforcement grew after his first college criminal justice class. When you were with.. (to be continued if you all want. It wasnt case-breaking, but it was communication-breaking. Default Staff Template: Notebook_Blue The bad side of humanity. He loves working in Homicide because every investigation is unique. He also enjoys piloting small aircrafts. Now he is a Lieutenant, overseeing officers on patrol in the Gilcrease Division, also known as GID. So, the Tulsa Police Department only has nine full time homicide detectives. ShaynnaSims was initially freed in late 2021 based on the U.S. Supreme Courts July 2020 McGirt ruling. McCoys interest in joining the Police Department began through a childhood friend, whose father was a Trooper and took them on ride-a-longs. } Me: Thanks again - now let's get on to the down and dirty on all those police units you worked with! Professionally I will keep plugging along and take my cases as they come, work hard, and hopefully make a difference in this community. When hes not working, Schilling likes to spend time in the outdoors with his family. Matt: Thank you Mark, I hope it helps. We work together as a team and put our egos aside to get the job done. I'm biting at the chomp to get to details of your time with the police force, but I want to first focus on your career transition to a Sales executive. In the end, I received a very appreciative letter from his mother and father, thanking us for all we did for their son and their family. Spending time with his wife and two children helps him cope with the stress of the job. In Ritters free time, he enjoys doing yard work, working out and riding mountain bikes and road bikes. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Detective Matt Frazier left the department for "greener pastures," according to Walker. Matt has been featured several times on the hit television series The First 48 on A&E. Frazier: I think that we as a Tulsa Police Department are so successful in solving our cases because we attack every case as a team, as a unit. They are very easy to work with during our investigations. He played hockey and baseball for many years and now still enjoys watching sports to relax. Me: Did you have any thought of what industry you would move to in those first couple of months after deciding to leave? Frazier: I was assigned a case where the victim was shot and killed for trying to recover some stolen property. Why did you decide to become a police officer? She is the best. Were you nervous? And he did, Walker said. Solving difficult or challenging cases and seeing the end result makes me proud.. He said Tulsa can help teach its ways to troubled communities that havent been as fortunate. Put your trust in me. The first Q&A is with Matt Frazier, a 1998 Jenks grad and a homicide detective for the Tulsa Police Department. They taught me that nothing in life will be free or easy. He has always had a will to protect. That maybe homicide was the problem? How do you feel about yourself and the Tulsa Police Department being portrayed on a show like the First 48? You stay positive, Brown spends his free time with family, including his daughters... Before transferring to homicide about what it was like to be a police officer those... That understands what we as homicide detectives are flummoxed by who did it numerous awards, including his three,! Leaders have done Well to help foster communication and restraint in trying situations any thought of what industry would. 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