For 38 years, Wendell Walker has been known in the Department of Public Safety’s Fleet Shop for his big smile, warm personality and great conversations. But he has always taken his job of protecting the men and women who protect South Carolina’s roadways very seriously.
“I believe in taking care of them. That’s what I work for,” said Walker, who retired February 27 after nearly 40 years building and repairing patrol vehicles and keeping them running smoothly for troopers and officers. “I make sure their equipment is working, so they can get out there and save lives.”
After the Sumter native graduated high school, he went to work for a chemical plant but soon started looking for a job in Columbia to support himself and his new wife. The South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation offered him a part-time position, which he held for a year before becoming a full-time employee.
“I came over here and I didn’t know too much about wiring up vehicles. I knew how to put radios in cars, but I never worked on patrol vehicles,” Walker explained. “I started learning and got kind of good at it. And I enjoyed it.”
After the Government Restructuring Act of 1993 created the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation, Walker went to work for the fleet shop.
As he honed his skills as a technician, he discovered a desire to share his knowledge with others. “I like teaching other people the little bit of trade I’ve got,” he said. “I want them to learn what I know and get good at it.”
Walker recalled troopers bringing their young children into the shop over the decades. The full-circle moment comes when he services the cars of those children who grew up to become troopers themselves. Though cars and equipment have changed over the years, Walker’s priorities have not.
“I looked out for their moms and dads, and I try to take care of them, too,” he said. “But I’m not going to stick around until they have a son or daughter,” he added jokingly.
Walker reminisced on all the people he’s worked with and met over the years, unable to decide which memory is his favorite. “We’ve got good people working in this shop,” he said.
After nearly four decades of service, Walker decided that it was time for him to retire and pass on the torch. “I’m getting older,” he said. “It’s time for somebody else to step in and learn.”
Walker plans to stay active in retirement by going to the gym and working security for USC athletic events, which allows him to continue meeting and interacting with people. He also looks forward to spending more time with his family.
While Walker leaves excited and hopeful for new opportunities in retirement, he will miss meeting new troopers and officers and catching up with his old friends at the shop, whether they’re coming by for an appointment or just to say hello.
“I enjoyed the ride,” he said. “I hate to leave, but it’s time to move on. Maybe one day I’ll see them out on the road, talk to them and think about the old days.”
