TYLER WALLS is not just a school resource officer. At Robert E. Lee Elementary, he is a mentor when he talks to kids in the halls, a teacher when he goes to the classroom to talk about his job, a cheerleader when he encourages athletes during games, and a friend when he eats lunch with students in the cafeteria. Every day, he makes a difference in someone’s life, and Tullahoma is better for it.
Walls began serving communities as a police officer in 2010, after graduating from Cleveland State Community College. For years, he worked as a patrol officer, enjoying the freedom of not being confined to one building or office space. Then, in 2023, he decided he wanted a change of scenery. He and his wife had just had a baby, and Walls applied to be a school resource officer (SRO) to open up his schedule.
“It was going to give me more time to spend at home,” Walls said. “When I started doing the SRO work here, I fell in love with it, and it just kind of stuck.”
He loved hanging out with the kids at Robert E. Lee, making their days, and giving them positive interactions with a police officer. Outside of his day-to-day job, Walls volunteers as a girls basketball coach for East Lincoln Elementary.
“The community will see me at football games, basketball games, anything that involves the school,” Walls said.
While working within the school system, Walls also attends school himself. He earned his associate degree years ago, but this December, he will graduate with a bachelor’s in criminal justice — and he plans to pursue his master’s as well. Walls said college wasn’t part of his plans for a long time, but his wife’s journey influenced him. She went to school to be a teacher, but did not end her education there.
“She kept striving for more, and then she went back to school and obtained her master’s degree and then an education specialist degree (EdS),” Walls said. “I never really thought college was in my plans, but then seeing her do it inspired me.”
After he earns his master’s degree, Walls said he hopes to teach online classes.
Walls’ community focus extends outside the school system as well. He has been a part of Bowling with Badges and Nashville Night Out, and helped retirement communities learn about online safety.
“It gives the community a different look at their officers,” Walls said. “A lot of the time, communities don’t see their officers out speaking with the community, [or] talking with or interacting with the community. They just kind of see them in a negative light.”
His community service has also been recognized outside of Tullahoma. This March, Walls was one of a few thousand people across the United States chosen to receive the Kentucky Colonel Award. It is the highest title of honor given by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for outstanding service to a community, state, or nation.
It is an amazing thing for a local police officer to be honored beside doctors, presidents, and popes, but the day-to-day community service of Tyler Walls has certainly earned him the title. GN
