Standing in a secluded north Tulsa backyard, Sgt. event.preventDefault(); Matt: (laughing) Absolutely feeling anxious about it. It's been 4 years now since you made the move from Homicide Detective, and some might say a TV star, to top Sales Executive at Stryker. The ability to talk to anyone - children, men, women, rich, poor, hard, soft - is huge as well. Its really satisfying and exciting when it all comes together and an arrest is made. You have permission to edit this article. Brown was inspired to become a police officer by his brother. In his downtime, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He says, I love the freedom to chase down bad guys instead of being stuck at a desk all day.. Frazier: Building rapport is a big part of interviews. An Oklahoma native, Ronnie Leatherman spent eight years working in Narcotics before transferring to Homicide. What does it take to be a skilled interrogator and get people to tell the truth? Matt: Nope. Me: You didn't consider moving to another division? He thrives on the challenges that come with the job. He enjoys his new pursuits and has more time with his family. Not that Tulsa had a problem solving homicide cases before the national television spotlight arrived. Although this was a big one, she again just said she was there for me. He feels fortunate to be working in police work, requiring constant self-asssessment that one doesnt experience in other jobs. Updated: Jul. On a high level - I was persuading people, strangers sometimes, to put their trust in me. Walker spoke Tuesday afternoon at a meeting of the Mayors Police and Community Coalition in City Hall about just that opening the lines of communication between the police and community specifically with disenfranchised minority populations. Frazier: In police work there are always victims. They made the process very easy and I think the hiring manager had a feeling I would be right. Matt: Yes sir. He trained many notable players Matt Holiday, Ubaldo Jimenez, Todd Helton, Larry Walker during his time in the big leagues, and went on to become a personal trainer before joining TPD in 2004. He joined the Tulsa Police Department in 1989, and worked in Burglary, Robbery, Patrol and the Special Investigations Division before joining Homicide in 2012. Me: In the 12 years, what was your favorite unit of the police force you worked with? They know my name. What I found was that he was doing very well in his new position as a sales executive for Stryker Orthopaedics (a company with annual revenue of over $12 billion). When not working a case, Ryden enjoys watching a Kansas City Royals game, playing other sports such as golf and tennis, and spending time with his wife and two children. He became an investigator to bring justice to victims and their families. Before joining Homicide in 2011, he worked extensively in many different units including Patrol, Narcotics, Burglary, Robbery, and SWAT. Frazier: I wanted to make a difference. McCoys interest in joining the Police Department began through a childhood friend, whose father was a Trooper and took them on ride-a-longs. Sales to me in the corporate world wasn't any different. You can't be halfway committed, you have to make that decision and be open to the possibilities of what may come. Matt: Yes, I would say it probably helped it along. Its just weve got to get to that point where we can talk to the citizens.. I think that if I can do that I have succeeded. You had NO sales experience. Ironically last month, as I was thinking about career moves, one of my favorite real life TV shows - The First 48 hours - had an episode that started with Tulsa Homicide Detective Matt Frazier stating that he was thinking of leaving the police force. Tulsa Police Sgt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. With Homicide, I had to make a sales pitch to witnesses and the guilty that it was in their best interest to talk to me. A great lesson for those out there thinking of a career transition. Justin Ritter was promoted to Corporal before leaving Homicide in February 2019. Matt: Thank you Mark, I hope it helps. Calhoun was promoted to Lieutenant in August 2020. He was gunned down in broad daylight because he wanted his things back. Me: What's great too Matt is that I don't have to change your quote in the headline picture of this article - you were able to take that with you as well! I knew her immediate reaction would be shock but I knew she would eventually be OK with it. Det. Was there one particular person at JHS who inspired you or made a lasting impact in your life? Theyve seen us. Hes teaching several 4- and 5-year-olds baseball skills a couple of times a week. Matt: Number 1 was the drug unit. What does the future hold for you both personally and professionally? To relieve the stress of work, Brown spends his free time with family, including his three children. Homicide Detective Tulsa Police Department 2004 - Sep 201612 years After I completed the academy and field training. He said lost generations whether due to poverty, drug addiction, lack of education, etc. And that's pretty much how she handled it. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. Frazier: When I arrive on any homicide scene I try to analyze everything I can see. Me: Right place, right time for sure. Well, it may seem to people that it was an easy transition for me. Low around 36. In Ritters free time, he enjoys doing yard work, working out and riding mountain bikes and road bikes. Nor did it catch fire after the Good Friday shootings in 2012 in which two men randomly killed three black people simply because of their skin color. I'm biting at the chomp to get to details of your time with the police force, but I want to first focus on your career transition to a Sales executive. But he couldnt be seen with the detective. I dont stop thinking about the case until it is finished.. Sgt. It did get old though. Frazier: As far as the murder rate goes, we hover around the average of 58-60 murders per year. In the Gang unit, I had to sell myself that I was a Gangbanger. Frazier: It has been really fun working with the show. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. ShaynnaSims was initially freed in late 2021 based on the U.S. Supreme Courts July 2020 McGirt ruling. Walker still isnt certain what his future entails once he enters retirement. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. He also follows his daughters softball team as they compete across the country, juggles reading 4-5 books at a time, and cultivates the worlds finest cop mustache. Before his career in law enforcement, Det. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. I had 2 young kids who could now watch the show and after 12 years with the forceI don't knowI felt I had a choice to pivot cause I believed I was young enough to make a transition. Dave Walker, his long time friend and colleague since the mid-90s. He met his wife, Nicole, while he was a strength coach for the Colorado Rockies. Me: It goes to show that skills are transferable, you just have to look for that symmetry when contemplating a change of industries. It was senseless and it changed a lot of lives. Hes a 14-year-veteran of the Tulsa Police Department. There was a problem saving your notification. His interest in homicide came from a high profile case he saw in the news when he was young. Matt: In the 12 years I was with the police force I worked various units: Drugs, Gangs, Robbery and lastly homicide. In November 2021, McCoy left Homicide and Tulsa PD to become a Crime and Intelligence Analyst. Matt Frazier was a star on the court during his time as a Trojan and earned himself a college basketball scholarship. Frazier: I was assigned a case where the victim was shot and killed for trying to recover some stolen property. The 36-year Tulsa police veterans final day before retirement is Aug. 31. A native of Houston, Texas, and proud Chickasaw Indian, Lt. Chase Calhoun has been in law enforcement for 10 years. Frazier: I take this one day at a time. Are there any particular cases or moments which stand out in your mind? He also loves traveling with his wife Kathy. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Originally from Harper Woods, Michigan, Det. Dave Walker with Micheal Turner during the Mayors Policing and Community Coalition at Tulsa City Hall on Tuesday. In other types of crimes the victim provides information, identifies the suspect, and assists in the investigation. In August 2019, he achieved a career dream by joining Tulsa Homicide Unit. Matt has been featured several times on the hit television series The First 48 on A&E. We were on a week long trip trekking through the mountains of New Mexico. Why Matt? Understanding develops, along with a willingness to talk, when residents are able to see how detectives go about their duties behind the crime-scene tape, Walker said. Me: Did Homicide maybe be the tipping point though? By that he means police must impart on youngsters a better understanding of who police are and what they do. Matt Frazier: (laughs) Yeah, TV star. They taught me that nothing in life will be free or easy. Trash is trash in any unit. Then cast your vote, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, State board approves new academic standards with Ryan Walters' last-minute revisions, Jury awards $82 million to estate of woman who died in Tulsa County jail in 2013, Meet the 2023 Ms. Inside/Ms. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Outside candidates. Most murders are committed by someone who knows the victim. While working in Child Crisis, Detective Baumann received a Chiefs award for a multi-victim sexual abuse investigation. Since then, he and his wife have shared a love for the game of baseball. I just had enough. The tipster beckoned Walker pssst to follow him out of sight. They are very easy to work with during our investigations. How challenging are those aspects of your job and how do you stay positive? Dave Walker spoke Tuesday afternoon at a meeting of the Mayor's Police and Community Coalition at City Hall about just that opening the lines of communication Mark Kennedy has been married for 27 years and has a 21-year-old son. Dave Walker retired from the Tulsa Police Department on August 31, 2018 after 36 years as a Tulsa Police Officer, the last seven years as the supervisor of the homicide unit. Theyve seen us work and do good things. Set as Default Template What separates a homicide detective who gets results and solves cases from one who doesnt? Stitt expresses 'strong disagreement' with Oklahoma AG over Catholic charter school, More than 800 Oklahoma medical marijuana farms linked to organized crime, drug agency says, Meet the 2023 Mr. Inside/Mr. A common refrain for him is that police must win the 6-year-olds.. And we have to learn to wave back, Walker said. One of the dad's came up to me and was telling me how much he loved the show and what not. He was also part of the Special Operation Team (SWAT) for twelve years, and worked in Burglary for one year. It is rare for a random murder to occur. A former member of the Fugitive Task Force, Det. series will feature a Q&A with a notable Jenks graduate. I didn't want to tell family members that their loved ones are dead anymore. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts Sgt. document.querySelector("#bioModal .bio-section").innerHTML = bio; No Staff Template Before being selected to join the Homicide Unit, he worked several other units of TPD, such as Gang, Sex Crimes and Robbery. As a police officer I could make a difference in our community. Matt: Maybe for a millisecond right after the epiphany on that trip in June but again, having to deal with trash. Bad people doing bad things. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Now he is a Lieutenant, overseeing officers on patrol in the Gilcrease Division, also known as GID. Family gives you perspective. He and his wife have raised three sons. In my business I talk to numerous people who say they want to make a "career transition" to a new field and ask for my advice on what they should do. That is what the victims and their families deserve. You have to deal with death, loss, and tragedy. A statement that covers both my current and old job! He worked five years in the Gang Unit and eight years in Robbery, where he gained knowledge that has been instrumental to his developing career. Zenoni is married with two children. The jury found that the Tulsa County jail's private medical provider care at the time violated the civil rights of inmate Gwendolyn Young. In addition to being a homicide detective, White is the crisis negotiator for the Special Operations Team and a member of the Critical Incident Response Team. Frazier: My fondest memories of Jenks are playing in the Frank Herald Gym. Retiring lead homicide detective credits 'The First 48' for helping Tulsans 'see us as people,' develop trust. - Maj. Jacob Fuchs (USAF), Where Are They Now? Part of his drive comes from the desire to see the good guys win. I thanked him and chatted a bit with him and for some reason, has to be karma I think, he asked me if I ever thought of doing something else. After a stint in on partrol, Watkins moved to the Detective Division, where he worked in Child Crisis, Burglary, and Armed Robbery Units before moving to lead the Homicide Unit. The bad side of humanity. And he did, Walker said. As for the crime rate, obviously more officers would help. var liElement = element.parentElement.parentElement.getElementsByClassName("bio"); He is married, and he and his wife enjoy the company of a son and a daughter. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World, Tulsa Police Sgt. Being the son of a California Highway Patrolman, Det. Weather forecast provided by weather.gov. How did it come so fast? Kennedy says, the excitement of the job and serving the public is what made me want to be a homicide detective. Kennedy doesnt mind the pressures of his job because he knows how important it is to his community. It's a 2 way street. Sowhy did he hire a guy with no sales experience? In 1994 Detective Brown received of a Medal of Valor for an act of outstanding bravery while working as an undercover investigator in VICE. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. There definitely was an epiphany to how it came to be. Michael Zenoni joined Tulsa PD in 1981 before he moved to Homicide in 1999. Det. He and his wife now spend time giving back to the community of Tulsa. He said Tulsa can help teach its ways to troubled communities that havent been as fortunate. That particular letter stands out because it reminds me of why we really do this job. He finds that simply moving helps with the stress of the job bicycle rides, hiking, and even playing the bagpipes, which he has been learning for the past few years. } Me: Good thinking. She is the best. Set as Default Template Nothing would get put under the rug anyway, but were really going the extra mile so the public does get to see exactly what we do. I've seen some deplorable episodes on the TV show that you were involved in. In 1995, Det. So, the Tulsa Police Department only has nine full time homicide detectives. He spends his down time doing woodwork, working out and spending time with his family. Of course I entertained it more and more and discussed among my colleagues for the rest of the trip but that was pretty much the decision point that brought me to where I am now. That was the trigger point that you asked for. series will feature a Q&A with a notable Jenks graduate. You have to use your skills and knowledge to solve that crime and ultimately speak for the victim in the end. According to Brown, the best and most challenging part of a homicide investigation is interviewing a suspect and getting him to confess to his crime; getting inside a killers mind.. All Rights Reserved. Taking things home at night in homicide does not make for great dinner conversations. Now I didn't know Stryker but I start chatting with him about it and agree to meet with their team. He finds the satisfaction of getting a killer off the street helps him push through the challenges of the job. Guy killed his own brother. When hes not solving cases, McCoy enjoys rooting for the Kansas City Royals and Nebraska Cornhuskers. I was assigned to the Uniform Division North midnight patrol shift. Dave Walker handed a tipster a small flag used to mark evidence and told the man to do what he needed to do. Reggie Warren joined Tulsa Police Department in 1996. That maybe homicide was the problem? Solving difficult or challenging cases and seeing the end result makes me proud.. That was weird to be recognized and treated like a television star whenever I went for groceries. He says, Homicide is more of a lifestyle as opposed to a job.. Though no one was talking, Walker knew there were likely to be witnesses, given it was broad daylight and several people were peeking their heads out to watch police. After watching the show where it ended with everyone saying their goodbyes to Matt as he packed up his desk, I quickly did a Linkedin search to find out what happened to Matt Frazier. Robbery a pretty close second. In schools, students have told Walker their first reaction is to run when an officer shows up in their neighborhood. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). In a homicide the victim cant speak. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World. question, I had already prepared for it and felt I had the right reply for it. Jeff Gatwood has always enjoyed helping people, which led him to a career in law enforcement for the past 27 years. Det. Any final thoughts? Chance of precipitation is 80%. It wasnt case-breaking, but it was communication-breaking. I was always selling something in every unit that I worked for. How do you feel about yourself and the Tulsa Police Department being portrayed on a show like the First 48? Dave Walker was born in Aurora, Colorado and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. To put their trust in me. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The next step is putting the pieces together by conducting interviews, obtaining cell phone data, talking to witnesses, conducting surveillance, and obtaining all the forensic evidence. Tulsa Police Sgt. I am a general assignment reporter who predominately writes about public health, public safety and justice reform. Self: The First 48. He joined the Homicide Unit in January 2019, and is proud to be able to bring peace of mind to the families who have lost loved ones. Default Staff Template: Notebook_Blue Me: So here we are June 2016 and your linkedin says September 2016 you starting with Styker. Spending time with his wife and two children helps him cope with the stress of the job. Walker in part credited the visibility and transparency offered by The First 48 as a key component encouraging witnesses to speak up in Tulsa. Describe what it is like to start a case and slowly put the pieces together? An interview with Matt Frazier from the hit TV show "The First 48" on his career transition from Homicide Detective to top Sales Executive. Me: Great segue to your arrival home and telling your wife that you were done with the force. Det. He was awarded the first medal in 1994 while working in VICE, and the second in 2004 while being part of the Northern Oklahoma Violent Task Force. To cope with the stress of the job, Baumann runs marathons and enjoys spending time with her husband and her two children. I think having more officers would open up more resources which would allow us to be proactive as opposed to being reactive. After college, he joined the Tulsa Police Department in 1982. Gatwood enjoys fishing, hunting, riding his ATV, and spending time with his three daughters, one son, and grandchildren. He and his wife enjoy their four dogs as well. What was that interview like? 15+ years in Start-up Recruitment. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. I like the fact that what I did for a brief time in my life will be forever saved. Ryden appreciates the community he serves and wants to find justice for the family of the victims. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Since then he has worked his way through various departments, such as Burglary and the Cyber Crimes Unit, before landing in the Homicide Unit in September 2020. 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