posted 06-12-2010 12:54 PM         

Norman Walker.......outstanding Wichita Falls Police Department detective perishes in sudden flood

Norman Walker, 65, was in a recreational vehicle with his wife, Cindy, her brother and wife when rising waters from the Guadalupe River swept the RV and all of them into the raging flood this week. Walker was a police officer here in Wichita Falls for many years and he had handled many major cases as a detective with the Wichita Falls Police Department.

The Wichita Falls Police Department reported it was notified Wednesday afternoon that Walker perished as almost a foot of rain fell within a matter of hours over two Texas counties.

Walker's family members were rescued, but workers later recovered his body downstream.

Notification of the tragic incident came from the New Braunfels Police Department to Wichita Falls Police Chief Dennis Bachmann.

Wichita County Sheriff David Duke said he was "saddened by the sudden loss of life" and thought highly of Walker.

Officer Walker began working for the Wichita Falls Police Department in 1975, and during his career he worked in the patrol section as well as in criminal investigations. He played a major role of the investigation of several high profile murders in Wichita Falls during his outstanding career.

His versatile career also included serving as a certified polygraph operator before he retired from the department in 1998.

His wife Cindy Walker, a retired sergeant with the Wichita Falls Police Department, survived the flood as did her brother Terry and his wife Karen. Norman somehow got separated from the others. They were all taken to a local hospital, according to the Wichita Falls Police Department.

Media reports in the New Braunfels area described major flooding around the Guadalupe River following heavy rains.

Former police officer Bill Pursely said, "I learned early that his nickname was "Stormin" Norman" and it didn't take long to understand why. It seemed that Stormin could get into more storms than anybody at the PD. (Storms are our lingo for trouble spots). Norman was easy to like. He could be rather intimidating, though, I guess that's what made him such a good interrogator and polygraph operator. Through his interrogation techniques he could get you to confess to about anything. "

Purslely, who is the current pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, went on to say, "I could go on and on about things he has done or was willing to do for just me, not counting countless others you could line up to give the same testimony about Stormin Norman. I thank God that I not only was allowed to have met and worked with Norman but more importantly I could call him my friend."

Spring, Texas Chief of Police Alan Bragg, also sang Walker's praises, saying, "My great memories of Norman include the time and patience he extended to me as a "rookie" police officer in 1972. He was always helpful, willing to teach and lead and served as an outstanding mentor for me."

Bragg, who grew up in Wichita Falls, also said, "I learned a lot of investigative techniques from his experience and his professionalism was evident each and every day. He truly cared about the department, the officers and citizens we served."

Walker was a member of the first graduating class of Rider High School in 1963. He was so popular he was named Mr. Raider his senior year, a special honor in the school's tradition.

In 1978 he graduated from Midwestern State University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree.

Funeral services will be Saturday at First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, at 3 p.m.