More than 1,000 people turned out Wednesday night for a vigil in Little Elm Park to remember Detective Jerry Walker, an 18-year police veteran and father of four who was killed in the line of duty a day earlier.
"It's one of those events we never want to have," said Little Elm Mayor David Hillock. "There were a lot of folks in this community who were impacted by the life, the contribution, the dedication and sacrifice of Jerry Walker."
Hillock joked that he met Walker years ago when the officer pulled him over for speeding.
Police officers and citizens lit candles and hugged each other as emotions poured over.
Among those impacted by Walker was a generation of students at Little Elm High School, where he was formerly a school resource officer.
Josue Lopez graduated in 2009 before going into the U.S. Army and was visibly emotional.
"Most of the time when people see teenagers they think of them as troublemakers, but Officer Walker never saw that," Lopez said. "He always saw the best in us and that's why there's so many people. It's the impact he made."
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At the vigil, people close to the fallen officer were comforted by those who had never even met him.
The event was organized not by police, but by several Little Elm women, who said they got help from the entire community.
"It's been beautiful to see that come out of such a tragedy," said organizer Staci Poss.
To honor the long-time public servant and friend to many, residents and police are contributing to a memorial fund for Walker’s wife and four kids set up by at Capital One Bank - Little Elm branch. You can mail donations to the bank, in the name of the "Jerry Walker Fund" to 2821 East Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm.
