Deputy Sheriff Ben Ray Walker, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

Deputy Sheriff Ben Ray Walker

Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

End of Watch Tuesday, April 6, 1971

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Ben Ray Walker

Deputy Sheriff Ben Walker was shot and killed while he and his partner were escorting three prisoners to a dentist's office in Flint.

Two of the prisoners were handcuffed together awaiting their turn. As Deputy Walker unlocked the handcuffs to take one of them to the exam room the two prisoners attacked him. During the scuffle, the third prisoner went out the door with the other deputy in pursuit. One of the two attacking prisoners was able to take control of Deputy Walker's gun and shot the other deputy through a glass door as he was taking the third prisoner into custody at gunpoint.

The prisoner who shot the deputy then took his revolver as well and shot Deputy Walker as he attempted to access his backup weapon. The two attacking prisoners escaped as the third prisoner called the sheriff's office to report the incident. One of the prisoners was captured in a house at 3406 North Street, one block from the dentist office. The two escapees were apprehended and one was subsequently killed in prison during another escape attempt. The second suspect was sentenced to life in prison. The wounded deputy recovered from his wounds.

Deputy Walker had served with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, parents, and two brothers.

Bio

Age 35
Tour 3 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender One killed in prison

escape attempt, transport

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I was a deputy in the Genesee County Sheriff's Department in the 1960s and I worked with Ben. At that time, we normally worked 4, 2-man cars one assigned to the NW county area, one each assigned to the NE, SW, and SE areas of the County. Ben and his partner were often assigned to the NE area and my partner, Bryce Bohnstedt and I were normally assigned to the NW area. We regularly backed each other up on serious calls. I left the Department in 1970, to join the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona, so I was not with the GCSD when Ben was murdered.

He was a dedicated officer and my friend, and I was shocked and saddened by his death. GCSD needs to continue to honor his dedication and his memory for perpetuity.

Page Decker, Captain (Ret)
Scottsdale Police Department

June 6, 2024