Police say around 8:30 last night, fire Lt. William Walker parked in his driveway and was headed toward his front door when he was shot multiple times in the chest. He later died at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Officials took few questions at a news conference and didn’t divulge any information about a possible suspect -- or even whether they may have zeroed in on one. They’re asking the public to call the Cleveland police homicide unit with leads at 216-623-5464.
Interim Fire Chief Patrick Kelly said Walker was a 15-year division of fire veteran. Walker most recently worked at the EMT office at the Fire Training Academy.
“He was an outstanding employee and will be deeply missed," Kelly said.
Walker joined the Division of Fire in 1998, and worked on two engines and a rescue squad. In August this year, he was promoted to lieutenant. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The president of the association of Cleveland firefighters, Frank Szabo, called Walker “a firefighter’s firefighter.”
“He epitomized the type of person that you would want to come and help you," Szabo said. "He was just very, very dedicated to the firefighters’ mission, which is to protect life and property.”
WKYC and the Northeast Ohio Media Group report Cleveland Mayoral candidate Ken Lanci is offering a $10,000 reward for tips on the killing give before Friday. (Lanci did not return calls seeking comment from ideastream.)
Mayor Frank Jackson, in a written statement, said his prayers are with Walker’s family.
