Detective James Merry Walker, Miami Police Department, Florida

Detective James Merry Walker

Miami Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, January 8, 2008

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James Merry Walker

Detective James Walker was shot and killed when he attempted to take police action while off duty.

Detective Walker had gotten off duty approximately two hours earlier. He was parking his unmarked department vehicle near Northeast 164th Street and 18th Avenue in North Miami Beach when a suspect attempted to enter it. The suspect, who had gone to the area to commit another shooting, had mistaken the car for that of his accomplice's, who was driving an identical make and model.

When the suspect realized it was not his accomplice's car, he and Detective Walker exchange gunfire. Detective Walker was fatally wounded.

The suspect fled the scene and remained at large until being apprehended in front of the Miami Police Department headquarters one week later. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder on October 8th, 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was additionally sentenced to serve 50 years for two unrelated armed robberies.

Detective Walker had served with the Miami Police Department for eight years and was assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit.

Bio

Age 30
Tour 8 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle; AK-47
Offender Convicted of murder

off duty

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Most Recent Reflection

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I was cleaning out an old box of keepsakes from my old department after retirement. I came across a plaque from the MPD FOP, thanking me for my contribution in catching Det. Walker's killer. I was the first officer to arrive on the scene. I was in the area, heard the shots ring out and was there in seconds. I apprehended a subject fleeing the scene on foot and detained him for detectives. That subject, although not the shooter, was key in identifying the shooter. As a young rookie cop, this was the case that really contextualized the reality of this job for me. Det. Walker was not on duty, but he was still a cop. He did what a cop needed to do in that situation and set a standard of bravery, vigilance and decisive action that I carried with me throughout the rest of my career. His death is a solemn reminder that life is precious and can be gone in an instant, especially for those called to do this job. It reminds us to hug our loved ones a little tighter and live with purpose and love. James, although we never met, your sacrifice left a mark on me that I will carry forever. You are loved and will never be forgotten.

Capt. Karl Anderson (Ret)

August 29, 2024