Walter Armstrong receives key to the city

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Former Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong received a key to the city Monday during a special meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

Armstrong served as Vicksburg’s police chief for eight years and during this time he made it his mission to keep the residents of Vicksburg safe.

Armstrong began his law enforcement career 37 years ago, serving as a Mississippi State Trooper.

“I wanted to help people,” Armstrong said in a speech. “I wanted to be able to make a difference.”

“I have to say, without a doubt, my tenure here was an eye opener,” Armstrong said, noting that he had not worked at municipal precinct before taking on the role of Police Chief in Vicksburg, “but it was a very joyous occasion to serve as your police chief.”

Armstrong mentioned many positive things that happened during his tenure as chief, noting that both mayors that he served under, Winfield and Flaggs, and the respective boards always provided everything he needed to do his job.

With their support, the Vicksburg Police Department under Armstrong’s leadership achieved a 100% clearance rate, meaning they were able to bring every single crime that occurred to resolution.  Compare that to the national rate, just over 60%, and it becomes clear what an achievement that really is.

Armstrong also said that the worst case of his entire 37 year career also happened in our city.

“It was a Sunday morning, as I was in church when I received the call that a citizen here had been brutally beaten, raped, and murdered,” he recalled.

With the hard work of Armstrong and his investigators, the suspect was behind bars the very same day.

“It is those types of cases that we, as law enforcement, we have to live with,” he said.  “When families hurt, particularly in these violent crimes … we hurt as well.”

Armstrong eventually went on to serve as Chief of Police in the city of Natchez until his retirement in 2020.

Armstrong was humble and thankful to receive the honor of a key to the city, expressing his gratitude several times throughout his heartfelt speech.

“Thank you to the city and the citizens of this community for affording me the opportunity to serve as the police chief for eight years and the state of Mississippi for allowing me serve in this great state for 37 years.”