Leo Newton and Bill J. Walker - Checotah, OK - Police Memorials on Waymarking.com

The memorial is a slab of red granite, protected by a fence, standing at the approach to the airstrip. At the top are their badges and vehicles -- note the wings -- followed by their names:

State Park Superintendent
Leo Newton
Born 12-16-35

Highway Patrolman
Bill J. Walker
Born 10-25-35

A metal strip below reads, "Gave their lives at this location Feb. 17, 1971", while a map of the park separates two blocks of text:

Today's Law Enforcement
Officers Make Tomorrow Possible

Dedicated to fellow law enforcement officers who made the greatest sacrifice while serving in America's internal line of defense keeping this great nation safe for those who follow.

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Presented by students in the Police Science Department, Oklahoma State University, Technical Institute Oklahoma City, employees of the Division of State Parks, State of Oklahoma, and members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol

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The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has a post about Trooper Walker (see Website) in which they describe what happened:

On the evening of his murder, two Fountainhead State Park Rangers requested OHP assistance in arresting two men on the park grounds that were in illegal possession of firearms. Shortly after 1800 hours, Trooper Walker responded, made the arrest, and contacted McAlester headquarters for a tow truck. While waiting for the wrecker with the suspects seated in the patrol unit, one of the suspects pulled a concealed weapon and fatally shot Trooper Walker and Park Ranger Leo Newton. State Game Warden W.L. Pickens was also wounded and later recovered.

In one of the state's largest manhunts, the two suspects were arrested four days later only a short distance away from the scene of the shooting. Three pistols including the Trooper's service revolver, a rifle, a shotgun and ammunition were recovered. The suspects were sentenced to life in prison.

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Fountainhead State Park became Lake Eufaula State Park in 2002. Mr. Pickens died a few years after the incident, while one of the two assailants later had his conviction overturned. It appears that the second is now "outside" as well.

Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link] List if there are any visiting hours: Park hours are daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, unless you have accommodations here, in which case you have free roam. Obviously, daylight hours are best. Entrance fees (if it applies): The park is free to enter, but once you park your vehicle, be on the lookout for someone taking note of your license plate: It's $10/day to park, but better still, an annual pass allows unlimited parking at all of the state's parks. Check with the visitor center for details. Type of memorial: Monument

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