On Friday, March 27, friends and family of the late William “Bill” Walker, an OHP State Trooper, and the late T. Leo Newton, Fountainhead Park Superintendent, gathered together to participate in the unveiling of a memorial sign to honor these men that were lost in the line of duty and tragically taken in 1971. It was a meaningful moment shared with Tim and Anna Newton and family, and Levi Walker and Candyce Walker-Murray and family as Rep. Tim Turner led the memorial ceremony at Fountainhead State Park Airport giving each family a formal resolution in honor of their loved one lost and a letter from the Lt. Governor’s office. Chief Jody Williams also read what transpired that fateful day.

Walker and Newton were both only 35-years-old when they were shot and killed on Feb. 17, 1971, during an attempted arrest of two men in illegal possession of firearms at Fountainhead State Park Lodge. State Game Warden W.L. Pickens was also wounded in the gunfight, but somehow survived being shot three times.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the event led to one of the state’s largest manhunts at the time. The men who shot Walker, Newton and Pickens were apprehended four days later and sentenced to life in prison though one was later acquitted in 1985 when his cousin changed his statements and claimed he had shot all three men.

Walker had served on the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for four years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and is survived by his wife, two sons, one brother and two sisters. Walker is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah. Newton served as the Park Superintendent for Fountainhead State Park for three years. He was born in Checotah and was a member of Meeker Masonic Lodge and Checotah Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is survived by his wife, two sons, his parents, two brothers and a sister. Newton is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah.

“These men died trying to protect the public,” Turner said. “There is no greater sacrifice than being willing to lay down your life in place of another. This sign honoring their dedication and their memories has been a long time coming but I’m honored to be part of making sure their families and the public knows their lives and legacies will never be forgotten.”

Some of those in attendance included:

• U.S. Senator Bryan Logan

• Representative Tim Turner

• Jerry Morris, Chief of Staff from the Lt. Governor

• Sue Hughart, former park manager

• Jennifer Stephenson, current park manager • Richard Keithley, Director of State Parks, Resorts, and Golf

• Bobby Braly, Northeast Regional Manager

• Cpt. Carter

• Lt. Ridgway

• Ranger Underwood

• Joe Williams, Chief of the Highway Patrol

• Sam Duvall, ODOT I-40 Superintendent Many retired and current OHP Patrolmen, Park Rangers, city representatives and community members also came to show their respect to the families.

After the ceremony participants and family drove to the section of Highway 150 at the intersection of North 4150 Road in McIntosh County for the unveiling of the memorial sign, near the Newton family home. Pictures of the families and those left to remember the legacy were taken by the local newspapers to commemorate and officially document the special dedication.

Afterward a lunch sponsored by Billy Inhofe was provided for the families, troopers, and state park personnel at the FAIC Fire Department.