Americus Times-Recorder, Americus, Georgia

Local News

May 21, 2009

Walters to retire from APD

Becky Holland

AMERICUS — Sgt. Henry Walters, known as Dooley on the streets of Americus, 56, has been a policeman for over 34 years. On May 31, Walters will be hanging up his policeman’s uniform for a different kind of uniform, that of a partially retiree of the Americus Police Department.

Laughing, he explained, “I am retiring from the City, but in July, I will be working with the 911 call center.”

The married, father of three, and grandfather of three, said, “I have never been one to sit still for very long.”

Crediting his upbringing on the “farm, about five miles between here and Andersonville” for his work ethic, Walters remembers wanting to be a preacher as a child. “I think at first, I just wanted to get off that farm,” he said laughing. “I was raised without a father, and all we had was our mother.

“She had us in church, and we couldn’t ever say that we didn’t want to go to church. We had to go. I just remember listening to the preachers and thinking that is what I wanted to do.”

Then, as he grew older, Walters felt a call of a different sort. “Still assisting to save souls, but as a policeman instead of a preacher.”

And the rest is history. He was first given an opportunity to be a police officer in 1982, with the City of Albany before he came back home.

The former Marine, also a disabled veteran, Walters said that to be an effective policeman, “communication is the key. No matter what, it is important to communicate. You don’t know what that person has been through and that person doesn’t know how your day has gone, so it is important that no matter what, no matter who you might be stopping, that you talk it out.”

As for the advancements in technology in the law enforcement field, Walters is appreciative. “Everything is better now, obviously, but there are times that we do have to resort to the ‘old school’ ways to provide the service necessary to ensure safety for the community.”

By that, Walters said, “Again, we come to communication and talking things out.”

His call sign is “625,” and for the first month after his retirement, “625” is not sure what he will do. “I told them at the Call Center that I needed a break, at least a month, so there is no telling what I will do. I guess it depends on what my wife says.”

Americus Police Chief James Green said, “Sgt. Walters is well thought of in the community and by this department. He is very personable to the public and his fellow officers.”

He will be missed, said Green, as “Walters is the type of person who doesn’t get easily excited and handles things in a calm manner.”

Walters’ last official day will be May 31.

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