MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Collierville Police Thursday said former Memphis Police Director and Collierville Police Chief’s Advisory Board member Walter Crews has died.
Crews died Dec. 8, 2023. A cause of death was not released. A visitation is set for 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at Collierville First Baptist Church with funeral services at 1 p.m.
Crews began his law enforcement career with Memphis Police in 1969 and worked in several departments, including Uniform Patrol. Internal affairs, Child Abuse Squad, and teaching at the training Academy. He was appointed interim MPD Director in 2000 then became Director in 201. He retired from MPD in 2003, then became Deputy Director of Shelby County Department of corrections for eight more years.
Crews joined the CPD Chief’s Advisory Board in 2020.
Collierville Chief Dale Lane said in a statement, “I have known Director Crews for many years and benefited from his wisdom. I am thankful for his decades of service but even more for his mentorship and friendship to me.”
Collierville Police said in a statement, “Director Crews and his team developed what is now called the “Memphis Model” in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) response in dealing with individuals in crisis which is now the standard for law enforcement agencies across the country.”
