Captain Vincent Walters

Vincent Walters was well established in his career as a machinist instructor. That was before he experienced the thrill of law enforcement.

Walters, a 1984 graduate of McAlester (OK) High School, spent his first decade out of high school working at the Kiamichi Technology Center training adult students how to be machinists.

During his off-time, he volunteered as a reserve deputy with the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office.

That is where he got a glimpse into law enforcement.

“I liked the excitement of law enforcement,” he said.

Walters decided he enjoyed the fast-paced, adrenalin-pumping environment of law enforcement so much, he began the lengthy application process to work as a patrol officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Two years later, in 2001, he was hired as a BIA officer by Jason O’Neal, who now serves as chief of the Lighthorse Police Department.

As a BIA officer, Walters completed his training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, N.M.

Upon completion of the 16-week school, he was stationed in Ada and gained experience in investigations and other areas of the job.

When the Lighthorse team was assembled by O’Neal in 2004, Walters was one of the first officers hired.

“Captain Walters’ education, training and experience in Indian County law enforcement make him an invaluable member of our team,” O’Neal said.

Captain Walters assisted O’Neal in putting together the rest of the department.

He now could be described as backbone of LPD .

“I just enjoy every part of the job,” Walters said.

His job entails everything from helping stranded motorists to backing up fellow officers. He heads up two of the department’s special operations divisions -the dive team and firearms instructor.

Walters also serves as supervisor for the northern area of the Chickasaw Nation.

His partner is a two-year-old Bloodhound named Maddie, who attracts a lot of attention with her big brown eyes and floppy ears.

“You will see us in town and she will have her head hanging out the (patrol car) window,” he said.

Maddie is not used for drug detection. She is a tracker, and she tracks people, whether the target is a lost child or a suspect on the run.

Walters said his favorite part of the job was the variety of his day. The position also gives him an opportunity to help people, especially Chickasaw citizens.

He says he is proud of the department for its efforts to not only meet, but exceed the expectation of Chickasaw citizens.

“We do a lot to fulfill request from citizens,” he said. “We try to do more for the public than a typical law enforcement agency would do.”

Walters and his wife, Shannon, are parents of a nine-year-old son, Evan, and a 15-year-old daughter, Taylor.

During time away from the office, Walters enjoys hunting and fishing, working with Maddie, and practicing shooting.

He says he is known for his sense of humor, something he tries to maintain during even the most stressful periods of a challenging job.