WAYNESBORO — Corporal James Calvin ‘Jamie’ Walker was remembered as a hero, a friend and a go-getter during a special dedication ceremony conducted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

A group of residents and friends of Walker and his family gathered at Little Rock Assembly of God Church near Waynesboro for the special ceremony.

State Rep. Sherra Lane served as the mistress of ceremonies for the program, where many remembered Walker for his work with the local police department and the area’s narcotics unit.

Lane authored House Bill 1027 that passed in the 2009 Session of the Mississippi Legislature designating the “Corporal James Calvin ‘Jamie’ Walker Memorial Highway.”

According to state law, the segment of U.S. Highway 84 in Wayne County beginning at Highway 84’s western-most intersection with Mississippi Highway 184 and extending westerly to its intersection with John Dykes Road is the dedicated Jamie Walker Highway.

Officials said the highway was dedicated to Corporal Walker in tribute to the Waynesboro Police Department Officer who gave his life in the performance of his duties on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005.

Shortly before 11:30 p.m. on that night, Corporal Walker made a traffic stop involving a suspected stolen vehicle on North Street at MS Highway 145 North near the Waynesboro-Wayne County Library.

After stopping the vehicle, Corporal Walker approached the driver’s side and was fatally wounded. The suspect fled the scene in the vehicle and abandoned it just outside of the city limits. The suspect was taken into custody about three hours after the incident. He was charged with capital murder and grand larceny. On Aug. 27, 2007, the suspect was sentenced to life without parole.

Corporal Walker was the first Waynesboro Police Department officer to lose his life while performing his duties.

Corporal Walker, who was 32 at the time of his death, joined the Waynesboro Police Department in March 2003 and was described by those who knew him best as being dedicated to his career in law enforcement and as a loving family man.

Waynesboro Police Chief James C. “Jimmy” Bunch said Walker relieved him (from duty) the night of the fatal shooting.

“Every law enforcement officer puts their lives on the line each and every day. It’s that ‘thin blue line,’” Bunch said. “Regrettably some of these officers pay with the ultimate sacrifice. ... It’s an honorable profession and we are dedicating this portion of the highway in honor of the service and sacrifice of Jamie Williams.”

Commander Brent Pursell with the South Mississippi Narcotics Task Force and Waynesboro Police Department Lieutenant Chris Harris spoke of their days and job assignments with their friend and co-worker, Jamie.

Harris, who called Williams “J.W.” said Jamie was “excited abut his new profession and job. He was eager and he came to work everyday ready to go.

“He was a go-getter and I admired him for that,” Harris added. “Jamie was my co-worker, brother on the force and my friend. Jamie Walker, J.W., is my hero.”

Bruce Cooley, uncle of Walker, recalled those early years that he spent with Williams.

“I miss him,” Cooley said. “It hurts, and the hurt is still there. He gave it his all.”

The slain police officer’s parents, Linda and Sonny Walker, spoke to the crowd gathered to remember their son.

Sonny Walker said the hurt “never gets any easier.”

The officers’ parents thanked everyone for making this dedication possible. They also remembered their son as a friendly and outgoing person.

“No matter what he was doing and the work he was doing, he could make friends,” his father recalls. “Keep praying for our family. We need the prayers.”

Commissioner Wayne Brown, Southern District Transportation Commissioner with MDOT, said the group “came together to dedicate this section of U. S. Highway 84 in Wayne County as the Corporal James Calvin ‘Jamie’ Walker Memorial Highway so that the supreme sacrifice of this officer will be remembered by all who travel this area.”

Brown called Walker “a real hero. He stepped out there and put his self in harm’s way. ... All who pass along this highway will know that someone passed this way and stood between us and harm’s way.”

Sherry Burke provided the special music for the event.

The family and officials also took part in the official unveiling of the new highway sign that will mark the Jamie Walker Memorial Highway .

Representative Lane summed up the event by saying the highway designation “shows that we care and we will not forget.”