Little Elm Police Department Sergeant Stoney Ward, School Resource Officer Clif Holliefield, School Resource Trung Pham, and Sr. Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police, Lucy Gonzalez recently presented two $1,500 scholarship awards for the Detective Jerry R. Walker Memorial Scholarship to Little Elm High School seniors Kofi Forson and Courtnee Locke on behalf of the Little Elm Police Officers Association.
Walker was killed in the line of duty on January 17, 2017.
Walker was a LEPD officer for 19 years, and he spent many of those years as an SRO at Little Elm High School. While working as an SRO, Walker often connected with students and worked to inspire them to be the best they could be.
"He often went the extra mile to counsel both students and their families. Sometimes that was a stern lecture, and sometimes it was a kind gesture," Ward said.
The presentation, which occurred during the Little Elm Town Council Meeting on May 21, is the first for the organization.
"We wanted a way to recognize and remember Jerry's servant heart, and his 'Pay it Forward' attitude," Ward said.
Applicants were required to complete anessay on how they would ‘pay it forward’ after receiving their awards. In his essay, Forson detailed how he wanted to create a scholarship fund, while Locke explained her desire to become a police officer. Both winners are also committed community volunteers.
Learn more about the Detective Jerry R. Walker Scholarship here or if you would like to contribute to next year’s scholarship, please contact Lucy Gonzalez at 214-975-0476