Made In Walker

• A Legacy of Kindness: Remembering Officer Trevor Slot Through Community, Family, and Service

  Some names turn into anchors for a whole community. Trevor Slot is one of those names. We open the door to his life through vivid memories, honest grief, and the living legacy he left inside the Walker Police Department and within the hearts of his daughters. What you’ll hear isn’t a eulogy—it’s a map for how kindness, humor, and everyday presence can shape an entire city.Captain Brandyn Heugel and Sergeant Robin Malley paint a grounded portrait of the man behind the badge: an officer who insisted on first names, who knew business owners and neighbors, and who believed in second chances even for the “frequent flyers.” A single story says it all—a resident once written off offers key information that cracks a serious case; years later, he flags down a cruiser to say Trevor never treated him like a criminal, only as a human being. That’s community policing done right: trust built one conversation at a time, where empathy is both principled and practical.Katelyn joins us to share snapshots of “dad”—loud music, goofy jokes, and the two-drive-thru ritual that made kids feel seen. She talks about growing up with a department that kept showing up: graduations, milestones, and quiet check-ins that stitched a safety net beneath her and her sister. We also reflect on grief that arrives in waves and the perspective Kim, Trevor’s late wife, offered so powerfully: you can’t change what happened, but you can live fully in the moments you’re given. Inside the department, Trevor’s presence remains tangible—memorials in the hallway, a slogan on a patrol car, letters from across the country carefully preserved, and a field training module ensuring new officers learn not just policies but values.If you care about public safety, civic trust, and what true service looks like, this story will stay with you. Subscribe, share with a friend who believes relationships still matter, and leave a review to help others find conversations that keep legacies alive.If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at [email protected]

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• Working on Walker's Wheels: The Hidden World of City Vehicle Maintenance

  Every time a police officer responds to an emergency call, a firefighter races to a blaze, or a snowplow clears your street after a winter storm, there's an unsung team of experts making it all possible. In this fascinating conversation with Ben Willcome, Walker's Fleet Services Supervisor, we pull back the curtain on the critical but often invisible work that keeps our city vehicles running.Ben and his three-person team maintain over 300 pieces of city equipment—"anything from a chainsaw to a platform fire truck." With remarkable versatility and technical expertise, they handle everything from routine maintenance to complex rebuilds, saving taxpayers substantial money compared to outsourced repairs. A fire truck repair that might cost $200 per hour at a specialty shop gets handled in-house by certified Emergency Vehicle Technicians. Their preventative maintenance program includes innovative approaches like applying specialized rust prevention coatings and completely rebuilding aging vehicles to extend their service life.The conversation reveals fascinating insights about vehicle lifecycles (police cars typically serve 3 years while fire trucks may run for 30), winter preparation procedures for snowplows, and a particularly rewarding project where the team transformed an underperforming fire tanker into a high-capacity emergency response vehicle. Beyond the technical aspects, Ben shares how his childhood passion for working on vehicles with his father evolved into a fulfilling career serving the public. "We keep the city rolling," he explains, taking pride in supporting every department and participating in community events that showcase their essential role. As Walker grows and vehicle technology evolves toward autonomy and alternative fuels, Ben and his team stand ready to adapt and continue their vital mission.Ready to discover more about the people and services that make Walker work? Subscribe to Made in Walker for more behind-the-scenes conversations with the dedicated professionals serving our community.If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at [email protected]

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• State of Walker: 2025 Acceleration

  Mayor Gary Carey delivers his State of the City Address for 2025, highlighting "acceleration" as this year's theme to reflect the increased velocity of growth and development in Walker. Public safety remains a top priority with exceptional community engagement from police and fire departments resulting in a 22% decrease in major crimes over two years despite the city's rapid growth.• The Fruit Ridge Bridge project will have the biggest impact on residents in 2025, serving 16,000 jobs within a two-mile radius and including a non-motorized trail for enhanced safety• Walker's strategic financial approach relies on income tax for 65% of revenue, allowing services to improve without raising property taxes• The city maintains minimal long-term debt, positioning it well for future investments in public safety infrastructure• Youth engagement initiatives include a Youth Academy for high school students and a Next Gen program for young adults interested in civic leadership• Widening Wilson M-11 remains a critical long-term goal to address safety concerns and traffic flowIf you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at [email protected]

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• The Long Game: Senator Huizenga and Walker's Future

  The bridges we build, the roads we travel, and the paths we create literally shape how our communities grow and connect. In this enlightening conversation with Senator Mark Huizenga, we dive deep into the infrastructure projects that have transformed Walker from the ground up.When it comes to the Fruit Ridge Bridge project, persistence proved powerful. After eight years of advocacy that spanned from Walker City Hall to Washington D.C., Senator Huizenga finally secured $25 million in funding for this critical expansion. What was once a dangerous two-lane bottleneck connecting five-lane roads will soon safely accommodate both commercial traffic and non-motorized trail users. Most surprising? Despite the nine-month construction timeline, residents recognize the necessity and have embraced the temporary inconvenience for long-term gain.The tunnel under M45 Lake Michigan Drive tells an equally compelling story of determination. When initial grant funding fell short, creative partnerships with philanthropic organizations made the difference. One potential donor, after witnessing pedestrians playing "Frogger" across the busy highway, immediately recognized the life-saving potential of this project. Beyond safety, this infrastructure improvement created what developers call a "radius of impact" that enhances surrounding property values and development opportunities.Looking ahead, Walker faces continued infrastructure challenges with Wilson Avenue (M11) and potential regional attractions like the proposed aquarium. Senator Huizenga reveals how the innovative development of the Northridge industrial corridor through 425 agreements and creative tax strategies has already brought thousands of jobs to the area while maintaining separation between industrial and residential zones.Through consensus-building and a commitment to finding win-win solutions, Walker continues to evolve with infrastructure that serves residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Follow Senator Huizenga on social media to see behind-the-scenes tours of regional facilities and stay updated on the projects shaping West Michigan's future. What infrastructure improvements would make the biggest difference in your daily life? Share your thoughts with us!If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at [email protected]

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• Fire & Leadership: Walker's New Chief Steps Up

  What makes someone leave the warmth of the Gulf Coast to lead a fire department in Michigan? For Russell Schoultz, Walker's new Fire Chief, it was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a community that immediately felt like home.Chief Schoultz brings an impressive 34-year public safety career to Walker, including extensive experience with hurricane response, disaster management, and leading statewide operations in Louisiana. But it's his fresh perspective on community safety that stands out most in this candid conversation. "The only thing I have learned in 34 years is how much I don't know," he reflects, demonstrating the humility that guides his leadership approach.Throughout our discussion, Schoultz shares powerful insights drawn from decades on the frontlines. Perhaps most sobering is his observation that in his extensive career responding to fatal fires, he's "yet to be on a fatal fire that had a working smoke detector where the people were not disabled." This stark reality drives his passion for community risk reduction – shifting focus from merely responding to emergencies to preventing them altogether.The conversation reveals ambitious plans for Walker's fire service, including expanded staffing with career firefighters to support the dedicated paid-on-call members, community CPR training initiatives, and innovative approaches to disaster preparedness. Schoultz speaks with genuine admiration about Walker's existing firefighters and the seamless collaboration between city departments that ensures public safety.Whether you're curious about emergency services, considering a career in firefighting, or simply want to understand how our community stays protected, this conversation offers valuable perspective from someone who's seen it all. Check out the City of Walker Fire Department's social media or visit walkercity.com/fire to learn more about fire safety programs and opportunities to serve.If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at [email protected]

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