Walter E. Crews' Obituary
Walter E. Crews, Jr. passed from this earth to be with his Jesus on December 8, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Mary Catherine Crews. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Scarlett, son Samuel Crews [ Marcy] and precious granddaughters, Bridget and Millie. He leaves in God’s hands his much beloved grandsons, who became his sons in later life, Hunter and Caleb Crawford. In addition, he is survived by a daughter, Catherine Crews, his cousins, whom he called his brothers, Michael [Terri] and Pat Vincent, his niece Connie [Mike] Miller, and nephews David [Janice] Buchanan and Chuck [Suzanne] Buchanan. He was loved by many and found great joy in those who chose him as their mentor, dad, counselor and friend becoming cherished members of his family. These included Maxine Craig [Johnnie and Karissa], Jenifer Hall [Lexie], Carrie Jackson [Anthony, Monet and Selena], Juana [Rick] Cook, Eddie Robbins, Rachel [Cary] Krachen and dear friends, Donnie and Brenda Sills, plus more than can be listed. He was a graduate of Catholic High School, achieved his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Memphis and was working toward his Doctorate when he was appointed Director of MPD. He received Honorable discharges from both the Navy and Air Force Reserve.
Walter began his career with the Memphis Police Department in 1969 where he graduated as Valedictorian and voted as the Most Likely Class Member to become Police Director.
He was assigned to Uniform Patrol, Internal Affairs, taught at the Memphis Police Training Academy, worked in the Traffic Division, Research & Development, the Child Abuse Squad, served as Deputy Chief over Special OPS, commanded the Hostage Negotiation Team, served as Deputy Chief of Operations and Deputy Chief of Detectives,
He was appointed Interim Director in 2000 and appointed Director of the Memphis Police Department in 2001 and retired from city service in 2003. After his retirement from MPD he became the Deputy Director of the Shelby County Department of Corrections for eight years.
During his tenure at MPD, Walter was recognized and received many awards for excellence in the field of law enforcement. These included the Police Department’s Medal of Valor and
the MPD Service Medal. He received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the State of TN Veterans of Foreign Wars. He graduated from the FBI’s Hostage Negotiation School, the TN Law Enforcement Executive Development Program, the FBI National Executive Institute and Secret Service dignitary protection training program. He received the annual award for leadership by the TN Association of Chiefs of Police and was selected as Man of the Year by St. Jude/ALSAC . He secured funding in the amount of 17 million dollars to renovate the former police headquarters at 128 Adams to provide a visible location for the police, received the U.S. Department of Justice Award for Public Service, the Optimist International Award for Officer of the Year, Who’s Who in In Law Enforcement, was awarded the for Public Safety & Outstanding Contribution to the Community by the Jewish Federation of Memphis
He was responsible for lobbying for one year at the State Capital to establish the first ever state law requiring thumb print identification of pawn shop customers, served on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Memphis, Was a member of the Memphis Police Association, FOP and countless boards , committees and held numerous offices in organizations throughout Memphis and Shelby County. He initiated and organized the development of the juvenile Violence Abatement Program, which was a community-wide effort to reduce violence among young people, initiated the accreditation process for the MPD through the Council on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, planned, organized and developed the first ever strategic planning process for the MPD, secured Corporate funding to renovate and remodel the Memphis Police Museum, implemented the DARE and GREAT programs in the Memphis City Schools and established and initiated conflict resolution training for MPD officers working the in Memphis City Schools system. In addition, he planned, designed and implemented the Family Trouble Center – a police sponsored Counseling Center for battered spouses and their assailants with the goal of violence reduction, planned and developed the Crisis Intervention Team [CIT] which contained a group of highly trained officers who responded to calls for police services for the mentally ill and Is now recognized as the international model for dealing with mentally ill persons in crisis.
He was an organized, effective leader with the proven ability to facilitate and manage change and motivate employees while developing them as future leaders, Walter was known for his notable speaking skills demonstrated at numerous public functions, speaking engagements and media events. He had extensive experience in developing and maintaining community relations through participation in many local, state and national organizations, seminars and training schools and well established, long term relationships with community leaders and organizations on a state, regional and national level and coauthored a number of publications throughout his career,
The family invites friends to gather for a visitation Saturday December 16, 2023, 11:00 at Collierville First Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm. with interment at Memorial Park to follow.
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