PEARL, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Wednesday morning remnants from a prayer vigil remained in front of the Pearl Police Department. The crosses, flowers and teddy bear honor fallen Pearl Investigator Mike Walter and two other officers injured during the Colony Park Apartment shooting Tuesday. Pearl Lt. Butch Townsend said he's lost more than a fellow officer, but a brother.
When the call came in about officers down, Lt. Townsend was one of the first on the scene. He said the department has always dreaded the thought of losing any of its officers.
"It's a day that we all feared would come and our worst fears are confirmed," said Townsend.
Officer Walter was described as an absolute beacon of sunshine around the police department.
"People tend to make people larger in death than they are in life, but in Mike's case I can't make him large enough for you," Lt. Townsend told WLBT News.
Law enforcement was Officer Walter's job, but his wife Jeanne and eleven year-old daughter Bailey were his life.
"Someone was teasing him recently saying Mike you've only got one child and at that time that child was nine years old, (he said) when are you going to have another kid (and Mike said) I don't need another kid I already have the perfect kid," said Lt. Townsend
A number of retired Pearl Police officers, as well as officers who've moved on and work in other parts of the state have returned back to the Pearl Police Department to show their support.
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