By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
A veteran police officer will soon be taking on more responsibilities. Officer Tom Walker took an oath Monday afternoon to serve as the newest Lieutenant for the Bucyrus Police Department.
Walker had first served with the police auxiliary before being sworn in as a Bucyrus police officer on Feb. 3, 1997.
“Tom and I first met in the early `90s,” Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke said. “Tom was one of the most active members of the auxiliary, getting experience for his police career.”
Koepke said he was a young police officer at the time when he worked a theft case with Walker, who was still in the auxiliary. The two had been riding together looking for a thief when Koepke said he turned around and Walker had gone “in hot pursuit” of the suspect. Koepke said Walker had yelled something to the effect of “stop or I’ll shoot” to the suspect who had dived into a bush. The suspect came out of the bushes with his hands up.
“Of course we have a civilian auxiliary; they are unarmed,” Koepke said with a laugh.
“I had a very mean radio,” Walker added with a grin.
Koepke said Walker has been a great police officer for the department, providing care and passion to the public. In addition to his 17 years of experience on the force, Walker is also a trained negotiator representing both the City of Bucyrus and Crawford County and is trained in crisis intervention.
“Probably our biggest service to the public is in crisis intervention and hopefully, now with being promoted to Lieutenant, Tom will have the chance to model that to the rest of our young officers,” said Koepke. “It’s a very special talent you have in communicating with the public – hopefully that will rub off on everyone else.”
“With all the negative publicity a lot of law enforcement is getting nationally, I have to say that in my tenure here, in my time, I can say without a doubt that Crawford County has some of the most professional safety services in police, the Sheriff’s Office, fire departments, (and) EMS personnel,” Walker said. “I think we do a fantastic job even when budgets don’t necessarily give us all the equipment, all the resources we need. Anything I have succeeded in my career I attribute to the officers who trained me up.”
Walker gave credit to past officers and current Captain Neil Assenheimer for making him the officer he is today. He also gave credit to Chief Koepke, who he says was instrumental in teaching him how to deal with the public and how to become a leader.
Mayor Jeff Reser, who officially swore in Walker as a Lieutenant, said he has been 
impressed with the quality of officers the city has in its employ.
After the swearing in ceremony, Walker’s father, Dean Colby pinned a lieutenant’s badge to Walker’s shirt while his two sons, Zakary and Bryan, added lieutenant’s bars to the uniform. Walker was also joined by his fiancée Tracy Park and an aunt.