State trooper faces felony misconduct in connection with fight

A Delaware State Police trooper was indicted Oct. 27, after officials say he was involved in an altercation at Nicola Pizza outside Lewes.

The fight happened Jan. 30, when officials say Master Cpl. William Walker, 53, was dining at the restaurant, and he saw a fight between two people. Walker, who was not in uniform, followed a man involved in the fight outside and identified himself as a police officer before allegedly putting the man in a Nelson hold and forcibly bringing him back to the restaurant, officials said.

Walker allegedly forced the man onto a bench and then jerked him up by the front of his shirt, causing another altercation during which Walker struck the victim multiple times, including allegedly kicking him while he was on the ground, officials said.

Other people tried to stop the fight, officials said, and Walker ended up pushing one of the people who was trying to intervene.

That man fell to the ground, and when other police officers arrived, officials said, Walker allegedly falsely claimed to have been assaulted by the intervening patron. Officials said one man was transported to Beebe Healthcare, where he was treated and released for cuts and bruises.

Walker was indicted and charged with two counts of felony official misconduct and misdemeanor charges of falsely reporting an incident, third-degree assault and offensive touching. He has been suspended pending prosecution.

Col. William D. Crotty, Delaware State Police superintendent, said video of the altercation raised concerns about the accuracy of Walker’s statements and the level of force he used.

The matter was referred to the Delaware Department of Justice Division of Public Trust for independent review, and Attorney General Kathleen Jennings said they “will prosecute this case, and every case, with the utmost care.”