Sunflower Police Chief Bobby Walker opens up as an advocate and loved one who knows the seriousness of
domestic violence firsthand
Editor’s note: The Enterprise-Tocsin is recognizing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month through a series of stories about victims, loved ones, advocacy and survival. Over 10 million Americans suffer from domestic violence each year, and women are twice as likely to be victims of these crimes than men. As the nation withstands the coronavirus pandemic, increased domestic abuse is a harsh reality of the pandemic.
Domestic violence can take a tremendous toll on its victims, but it can also leave a lasting impact on their loved ones.
Sunflower Police Chief Bobby Walker Senior knows firsthand about this toll.
On April 29, 2019, Robbie Walker-Grossley, his sister, came to his house on a Monday night and talked about life.
The two were very close.
They were the youngest of 13 siblings and were usually mistaken as twins because they were only a year and a half apart.
Walker knew his brother-in-law well too, and he had never shown any violent tendencies toward Robbie.
The next morning, Walker found himself on a visit to the grocery store in Greenville, owned by his sister and brother-in-law.
Bobby’s friend wanted some Keto coffee, and Robbie was well known for selling the product.
“She loved to do her Keto,” said Walker. “She had a Keto business. She loved to inspire people to live a better life, to live a healthier life.”
Walker and his friend opted to go to the store rather than call his sister’s phone. The ride there seemed different than usual, he said.
“So on this particular day, I don’t know why God led us in a whole new direction, because we were just riding and talking,” said Walker.
Upon reaching the store, Walker didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until he went to open the store door. It was locked.
“Why is the door locked? Are they closed or something?” said Walker.
Walker began to call his sister and his brother-in-law’s cell phone. That’s when his friend noticed her phone inside the store on the counter.
“I could see my name lighting up on her phone,” said Walker.
His friend then pointed to the bottom of someone’s feet in the kitchen part of the store.
He would soon find out that was his brother-in-law.
The police and fire department arrived and broke in the door in order to gain access to the inside of the store.
“The door opened, and the police officer tried to stop me from going in, but I forced the police officer down because I wanted to get to my sister,” said Walker. “I wanted to see what was going on.” Walker frantically looked for Robbie.
“I was calling my sister’s name,” said Walker. “Robbie! Robbie! Where you at?”
Walker soon found her in the kitchen where she had been shot and killed.
“When I saw my sister, everything started moving in slow motion,” said Walker. “I started thinking...Am I dreaming? I know I’m going to wake up in a minute. I know it’s a bad dream.”
His brother-in-law was deceased as well, apparently part of a murder-suicide.
According to the National Coalition Agaisnt Domestic Violence, 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner, and 94% of the victims of these crimes are female.
Walker doesn’t wish the unbelievable and indescribable pain he suffered that day on anyone.
His experience caused him to speak to other women who may be in similar situations.
Working in law enforcement, Walker tends to see domestic violence incidents often.
“Not just from the pandemic, it’s just become a norm,” Walker said. “You know, I talk to a lot of women being abused. Domestic violence has no face. Anybody can be abused and anybody can be an abuser. I don't care what kind of profession they are, and What title they hold. “
Walker also mentions isolation as the biggest red flag. Abusers tend to isolate victims from family and friends.
“He wants to be the only person that you look to that you depend on,” said Walker.
Not only is it important to recognize red flags but also important to act upon them.
“I tell people, when you see the red flags, when they first call you out your name, when they first hit you and say ‘I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to do it,’” said Walker. “That’s a red flag. Don’t ever let anybody hit you or call you out of your name.”
Walker hopes that his experience will help others come forward and escape domestic violence situations. He makes himself available to victims, as a law enforcement officer and as one who has truly felt the pain of losing someone to domestic violence.
