>> narrator: He was an everyday hero working hard to help the community around him.
Hero working hard to help the community around him. >> he was driven not only to be
the best firefighter he could
be.
The best firefighter he could be. He wanted to be the best servant
to his community.
>> he had dreams that he wanted
to raise his family in a better
environment than he grew up in.
To raise his family in a better environment than he grew up in. >> narrator: But on the
threshold of achieving all those
goals, he's cut down in a brutal
act of violence.
>> it was crazy. I couldn't believe it. >> the world lost a good man.
>> narrator: As the city rallies
to find who's responsible, one
message rings out loud and
clear.
Message rings out loud and clear. >> you just don't get away with
killing a firefighter in
cleveland.
Killing a firefighter in cleveland. >> narrator: To catch the
killer, detectives will have to
cut through a web of deception
and betrayal.
Cut through a web of deception and betrayal. >> it was cold.
And betrayal. >> it was cold. It was heartless.
>> it's an american tragedy.
>> narrator: And little can
prepare anyone in cleveland for
the killer's final act.
Prepare anyone in cleveland for the killer's final act. >> it's still a shock.
The killer's final act. >> it's still a shock. I never saw that coming.
♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
>> narrator: Sunday, November 3,
2013.
It's a quiet autumn evening in
cleveland, ohio.
>> it was a Sunday.
There was peace and quiet out
there.
>> it was a typical cleveland
type of evening.
>> narrator: But around 8:30
that evening, emergency
dispatchers receive a 911 call
that rips the city's facade of
tranquility apart at the seams.
[ telephone rings ]
the caller is 42-year-old
uloma walker.
>> she's frantic.
She tells dispatchers she's
found her husband, will, lying
in the driveway, shot several
times.
>> narrator: Moments later, uloma hears the first sirens approach.
Uloma hears the first sirens approach. >> what do we got?
Approach. >> what do we got? >> narrator: Once firefighters
pull up outside the house, their
training and professionalism are
put to the test.
Training and professionalism are put to the test. >> they see someone sprawled out
in the driveway, bleeding
heavily.
>> they realized it's one of
their own.
>> uloma's husband, will walker,
was a lieutenant with the
cleveland fire department.
>> narrator: Life in cleveland
had never easy for will walker.
>> will grew up in cleveland,
off of east 40th and woodland.
It was more or less a low-income-type place. >> instead of falling into that
life and continuing the cycle of
crime and violence, he wanted to
be better than that.
Crime and violence, he wanted to be better than that. >> narrator: It was that drive
to make a better life for
himself and his family that kept
his wife, kendra, in love with
him after 10 years of marriage.
>> they met in school and had
a lot of determination that you
don't normally see in young
people.
>> I'll see you later.
>> okay.
>> they had formed a serious
bond right from the start.
I mean, they knew this was more
than teenage love.
>> narrator: After high school, the couple got married, and will went to work straightaway.
The couple got married, and will went to work straightaway. >> will gets a job in the steel
mills of cleveland.
>> but that wasn't the life for
him.
He didn't really enjoy it.
Him. He didn't really enjoy it. >> narrator: However, the job
he didn't really enjoy it. >> narrator: However, the job did open will's eyes to a new
opportunity.
Did open will's eyes to a new opportunity. >> there was a few firemen that
worked down there, more or less
as first aid.
Worked down there, more or less as first aid. And he wound up talking to them.
As first aid. And he wound up talking to them. >> he realized it was his
and he wound up talking to them. >> he realized it was his calling, so he began training to
be a firefighter.
Calling, so he began training to be a firefighter. >> will was just a determined
guy.
You know, he put his mind to
something, and, you know, he
you know, he put his mind to something, and, you know, he worked hard for it.
Something, and, you know, he worked hard for it. >> will's hard work really paid
off because he aced his civil
service exam.
Off because he aced his civil service exam. And when he graduated from the
fire academy, he was near the
and when he graduated from the fire academy, he was near the top of his class.
Fire academy, he was near the top of his class. >> narrator: In 1998, will
joined the cleveland fire
department and did whatever it
took to make a name for himself.
Department and did whatever it took to make a name for himself. >> will was a firefighter.
Took to make a name for himself. >> will was a firefighter. He had that commitment to
service.
And he had that commitment to
his career.
>> we would go to fires, and
he -- you know, he would be
right there behind me, you know,
ready to work and ready to do
anything that we needed.
Ready to work and ready to do anything that we needed. >> narrator: As will's career
flourished, so did his family.
Soon he and kendra were raising
two beautiful children --
soon he and kendra were raising two beautiful children -- brittany and joshua.
Two beautiful children -- brittany and joshua. >> his children obviously were
probably the most important
thing to him.
Probably the most important thing to him. >> he became that dad that he
always wanted to be.
>> narrator: Even if having a
growing family to provide for
meant he had to work that much
harder.
Meant he had to work that much harder. >> he went to paramedics school
so he could be an emt.
>> whatever his job was, he
would do whatever he could, you
know, to keep learning and to
progress in that job.
Know, to keep learning and to progress in that job. And that's how he was as a
person.
>> you had that feeling from
will that he was gonna conquer
life.
Will that he was gonna conquer life. >> narrator: But life didn't
come without its fair share of
challenges.
Come without its fair share of challenges. >> the nature of kendra and
will's relationship changed.
>> there was, you know, some
fighting going on.
I think he had a plan, what he
wanted to do.
Now her plans and his plans
didn't mesh together anymore.
>> they decided to divorce in
2004, but they remained on
really cooperative terms.
>> they did everything they
could, you know, to make it work
for the kids.
Could, you know, to make it work for the kids. >> narrator: After the divorce,
will devoted himself to his
children, his work, and
volunteering in the community.
Children, his work, and volunteering in the community. >> will got very involved with
the freemasons, doing a lot of
community work around town.
The freemasons, doing a lot of community work around town. >> narrator: And it was a chance
encounter after one masons
meeting that brought love back
into will's busy life.
Meeting that brought love back into will's busy life. >> excuse me!
Into will's busy life. >> excuse me! I think you dropped this.
>> thank you!
>> narrator: The woman will
encountered that day was
37-year-old fellow divorcée
uloma curry.
>> he fell head over heels for
her, and things just took off
from there.
Her, and things just took off from there. >> narrator: As it turned out,
will and uloma had a lot in
common.
Will and uloma had a lot in common. >> uloma had three kids of her
own, and she'd just gotten out
of a long relationship.
Own, and she'd just gotten out of a long relationship. >> narrator: Unlike will,
however, uloma's first marriage,
to a man named matthew burns,
was tumultuous to say the least
and hadn't ended on good terms,
which only deepened her
affection for the kind,
hardworking will walker.
Affection for the kind, hardworking will walker. >> she would stop up at the
firehouse, you know, and she
seemed like a nice lady.
Firehouse, you know, and she seemed like a nice lady. It seemed like, you know, will
liked her a lot.
>> I could tell will was, you
know -- will was very happy.
>> narrator: Eventually, uloma
moved in with will, along with
her youngest daughter,
jacqueline, and jacqueline's
boyfriend, chad.
Jacqueline, and jacqueline's boyfriend, chad. >> meanwhile, will's daughter
had gone off to college, and his
son lived with his mother.
Had gone off to college, and his son lived with his mother. But they all got along well with
uloma.
>> will remains very friendly
with kendra, his ex-wife, and
kendra gets along with uloma.
With kendra, his ex-wife, and kendra gets along with uloma. They have a very decent
relationship, and, you know, for
they have a very decent relationship, and, you know, for these kids.
Relationship, and, you know, for these kids. >> narrator: After four years of
dating, will and uloma decided
to make their blended family
official.
To make their blended family official. >> 2013 was a really big year
for uloma and will.
They got married in June of that
year and decided to honeymoon in
they got married in June of that year and decided to honeymoon in ireland.
Year and decided to honeymoon in ireland. >> narrator: The wedding wasn't
the only thing they had to
celebrate, though.
The only thing they had to celebrate, though. >> not long after the wedding,
will was promoted in the fire
department to lieutenant.
Will was promoted in the fire department to lieutenant. >> when he was being sworn in,
I don't know if you could see a
prouder man.
>> narrator: After becoming a
lieutenant, will and uloma
decided to make another, even
bigger change.
Decided to make another, even bigger change. >> after living his whole life
in cleveland, will and uloma had
gotten a house out in the
suburbs.
Gotten a house out in the suburbs. >> will constantly talked about
how happy he was and he was
moving forward and things were
good and him and his girl were
moving up in the world.
Good and him and his girl were moving up in the world. ♪
>> narrator: But on the evening
of November 3, 2013, just days
before will and uloma were to
officially move in to their new
home, tragedy strikes.
Officially move in to their new home, tragedy strikes. >> around 8:30 that night, uloma
called the police to inform them
that will had been shot.
>> when first responders get there, they find will sprawled out in the driveway, bleeding
heavily from what appears to be
several gunshot wounds.
>> some of the first-responding
firemen knew who he was and
worked with him before.
>> those guys were encouraging will to hold on, to hold on. "you're gonna get through this,
will.
You can fight this."
>> I didn't understand it.
>> who would want to kill this
firefighter?
>> there was a couple firemen
riding with him in the back of
the ems unit, and they were
asking will, "who shot you?
The ems unit, and they were asking will, "who shot you? Who shot you?"
>> did you see who? Who was it?
>> [ speaking indistinctly ]
♪
>> in the fire department, we're
very good at not showing emotion
because we see a lot of death
and we see a lot of just stuff
that people don't want to see or
people don't want to believe
that's out there.
But the guys at the firehouse --
it's family, you know?
You're living with these guys.
Every third day you're with
them, 1/3 of your life.
So to have something happen like
that, you know, definitely,
you know, affected me.
>> narrator: Through years of hard work and dedication, 45-year-old william walker had
climbed out of poverty and was
ready to take the next big steps
in his life.
Ready to take the next big steps in his life. >> will got promoted to
lieutenant.
He was newly married.
Lieutenant. He was newly married. He was buying a new house.
He was incredibly excited.
>> narrator: But as will's wife,
uloma, makes clear in a
harrowing call to 911, that
bright future is suddenly in
doubt.
>> she's just saying, "my
husband's been shot, my
husband's been shot."
>> narrator: First responders
arrive and rush will to the
hospital.
>> uloma accompanied the
ambulance to the hospital with
her husband.
>> narrator: Meanwhile, william's fellow firefighters ride in the back, desperately
trying to keep him alive and
alert.
Trying to keep him alive and alert. >> will, who shot you?
Alert. >> will, who shot you? >> [ speaking indistinctly ]
>> did you see who? Who was it?
>> [ speaking indistinctly ]
>> they're trying to get more
information from will, and all
he keeps saying is that, "I'm
drowning, I'm drowning."
>> narrator: While emts fight to
save will's life, major-crimes
detectives arrive at the walker
residence and begin processing
the scene.
Residence and begin processing the scene. >> by the time the homicide unit
gets there, the base patrol guys
have the area taped off.
Gets there, the base patrol guys have the area taped off. >> we could see from the
evidence, from the blood on the
sidewalk, that it was apparent
that he had exited his car, was
on his way to the house.
>> will's keys were still
in the side door.
At the time of the shooting, he was unlocking the door. >> it appeared that possibly
somebody was laying in wait for
the lieutenant when he came
home, with the intent on maybe
robbing him or stealing his car.
Home, with the intent on maybe robbing him or stealing his car. >> narrator: However, a closer
look reveals that if the ambush
had been a robbery, the
assailants had failed.
Had been a robbery, the assailants had failed. >> he still had his phone with
him.
His wallet was still there.
Him. His wallet was still there. His pockets weren't turned out.
So it didn't appear that he was
his pockets weren't turned out. So it didn't appear that he was robbed.
>> then the question becomes,
you know, "what is the motive
here?
And who would have motive to
kill this firefighter?"
>> they found four 9-millimeter shell casings in the driveway. They were collected to be,
you know, possibly matched if
they were collected to be, you know, possibly matched if they ever came up with a gun
later on.
They ever came up with a gun later on. >> narrator: Once they finish
processing the crime scene,
detectives fan out in search of
possible witnesses in the
neighborhood.
Possible witnesses in the neighborhood. >> it's a lower-middle-class
neighborhood.
>> there's a lot of vacant
properties, and it's seen better
days.
>> according to neighbors,
apparently that's one of the
reasons will and uloma were
moving out to the suburbs.
>> did you see what happened? >> there was this rumor going around that will had had a
confrontation with a group of
local punks and it had turned
heated.
Local punks and it had turned heated. >> perhaps will ticked off the
wrong person in the
neighborhood.
Wrong person in the neighborhood. >> so, the question became,
"well, was this some sort of
gang murder?"
>> narrator: As detectives talk
to the neighbors, one name keeps
coming up -- jeffrey cook.
To the neighbors, one name keeps coming up -- jeffrey cook. >> he has been involved in some
possible crimes and drug
activity in the neighborhood.
Possible crimes and drug activity in the neighborhood. >> narrator: But before
detectives can dig deeper into
this new lead...
Detectives can dig deeper into this new lead... [ cellphone ringing ]
...They receive some bad new
from the hospital.
>> cleveland homicide.
>> will died as a result of his
injuries.
[ police radio chatter ]
>> he didn't make it.
>> it was a shock to everybody
that, you know, will worked with
and that knew him.
>> when I got to the hospital, will was still in the trauma room, and we went and sat with
the family when the doctor came
in to tell us that will had
passed.
In to tell us that will had passed. They became very, very
emotional.
>> narrator: Emotions are still
running high when detectives
arrive at the hospital to take a
statement from uloma.
Arrive at the hospital to take a statement from uloma. >> it's not a high-pressure
interview.
We realize she just lost her
husband.
>> I know it's been a hard
night, but we need your help.
Can you tell us what happened?
Night, but we need your help. Can you tell us what happened? >> I'll try.
>> she had told the detectives
that they were in the process of
moving, they were packing their
bags and, you know, arranging
things to do.
Bags and, you know, arranging things to do. >> uloma stated to the police
that she was too tired to cook
dinner that evening, so she sent
will out to get some food.
Dinner that evening, so she sent will out to get some food. >> I just feel like it's all my
fault.
>> upon his return, she heard
some gunshots from very near the
house, and as she ran out the
side door, she discovered her
husband shot in the driveway.
Side door, she discovered her husband shot in the driveway. >> did you see anything,
anything in particular that
could help us find who did this?
Anything in particular that could help us find who did this? >> no.
Could help us find who did this? >> no. >> narrator: But while uloma
didn't see the shooter, she does
offer some potentially useful
information.
Offer some potentially useful information. >> uloma told police that
several weeks leading up to the
shooting, will had gotten into a
number of verbal altercations
with some of the neighborhood
kids.
With some of the neighborhood kids. Some of them were drug dealers,
troublemakers in the
some of them were drug dealers, troublemakers in the neighborhood.
>> uloma's story echoes what
detectives have already heard
from the neighbors.
>> every time he saw them hanging around, he'd get out of his car and yell at them to get
out of there and shoo them away
and stuff, and there was some
confrontations, some words
exchanged.
Confrontations, some words exchanged. >> we were moving.
Exchanged. >> we were moving. Why couldn't they just let us
be?!
>> who? Who in particular?
Be?! >> who? Who in particular? >> it had to be that jeffrey --
jeffrey cook!
>> this name keeps coming up.
Jeffrey cook! >> this name keeps coming up. Police think they have a solid
lead.
>> this becomes pretty much
suspect number one.
>> narrator: After speaking with
uloma, detectives head out in
search for jeffrey cook.
Uloma, detectives head out in search for jeffrey cook. >> as the detectives are
canvassing the neighborhood,
they notice this young man
walking down the sidewalk.
They notice this young man walking down the sidewalk. He takes one look at the police,
and he takes off.
>> hey there.
And he takes off. >> hey there. Let me ask you a few questions.
Stop!
Stop! Stop! Stop! Freeze!
>> narr cleveland fire lieutenant will walker was gunned down in
front of his home, detectives
have their first solid lead in
the case.
>> will's widow and several
other neighbors all mentioned
that he had issues with
neighborhood troublemakers,
especially one teenager in
particular -- jeffrey cook.
>> narrator: But it's when
detectives approach a young man
that matches jeffrey cook's
description that they truly
believe they're on the right
track.
>> can I ask you a few
questions?
>> they see a young man.
They want to question him, but
instead he takes off, starts
running the opposite direction.
>> stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Freeze!
Keep your hands up. Hands up.
>> they're wondering, "is this
keep your hands up. Hands up. >> they're wondering, "is this the murderer?"
>> over here, on the curb.
The murderer?" >> over here, on the curb. Hands up. Hands up.
Keep them up. Protect me.
Get your hands up.
Clear.
>> jeffrey cook?
>> no.
>> narrator: The teen identifies
himself as brandon felder.
>> why'd you run?
Himself as brandon felder. >> why'd you run? >> I mean, you're the cops,
right?
>> he just didn't want anything
to do police.
You take one look at police, you
walk the other way.
You don't want to be involved
in any trouble.
>> brandon says he had nothing
to do with the murder, but
thinks he might have seen
something suspicious that
evening.
>> he saw two african-american men dressed all in black standing by this vacant house
near will's property.
Standing by this vacant house near will's property. >> can you I.D. Them?
Near will's property. >> can you I.D. Them? >> I don't know, man.
I mean, they were kind of far
off.
>> all right, look, go on
wherever you're going.
>> brandon's tip isn't much, but
at least it's something for
police to start with.
At least it's something for police to start with. >> narrator: The next morning,
as word of will's death spreads
through the cleveland fire
department, his fellow
firefighters struggle to
process the news.
>> I think we were still in
shock that it actually happened.
We were in shock for, you know,
his kids.
>> all those emotions and all
those thoughts are going through
your head.
You're thinking about, "how did
this happen?"
you're thinking about, "who is
responsible?"
>> narrator: One of will's fellow firefighters believes he may know the answer.
Fellow firefighters believes he may know the answer. >> excuse me, detectives.
May know the answer. >> excuse me, detectives. Do you have a minute?
I, uh -- I worked with
do you have a minute? I, uh -- I worked with will walker.
>> please take a seat.
Will walker. >> please take a seat. >> will's co-worker tells police
that will had a lot of problems
with uloma's daughter jacqueline
and her boyfriend, chad padgett.
With uloma's daughter jacqueline and her boyfriend, chad padgett. >> he talked to me quite a bit
about this.
>> the boyfriend apparently was
smoking some weed in the house.
They had a little bit of a
heated exchange about that.
And it left a bad taste in
everybody's mouth.
♪
>> narrator: After speaking to
will's colleague, detective get
consent from uloma to bring her
17-year-old daughter,
jacqueline, in for questioning.
>> she hadn't been at the crime
scene that night, but detectives
wondered -- could she somehow be
involved?
>> we have a couple of questions for you about your stepdad's murder.
For you about your stepdad's murder. >> okay.
Murder. >> okay. There's not much I can tell you.
>> jacqueline tells police that
there's not much I can tell you. >> jacqueline tells police that she and her boyfriend, chad,
weren't even home that night
when the murder occurred.
Weren't even home that night when the murder occurred. They were at a friend's house.
When the murder occurred. They were at a friend's house. >> narrator: Furthermore,
they were at a friend's house. >> narrator: Furthermore, jacqueline is adamant that
neither she nor chad would ever
want to hurt her stepfather.
Neither she nor chad would ever want to hurt her stepfather. >> I mean, he was strict, but my
mom really loved him.
He took good care of her.
Mom really loved him. He took good care of her. >> narrator: However,
he took good care of her. >> narrator: However, jacqueline does claim to have
some potentially useful
information.
Some potentially useful information. >> jacqueline told the
detectives that a week or two
earlier, lieutenant walker
observed some kids across the
street from his house that were
hanging around and causing a
ruckus.
Hanging around and causing a ruckus. And he came out on the front
porch and kind of ushered them
and he came out on the front porch and kind of ushered them off.
Porch and kind of ushered them off. >> will was so frustrated and
angry with these troublemakers
that he pulled a gun on them.
Angry with these troublemakers that he pulled a gun on them. >> do you know who any of them
were?
>> one kid lives up the street,
named jeffrey cook.
>> everybody keeps mentioning
this man jeffrey cook.
>> police definitely want to
bring him in for questioning.
>> narrator: Late that
afternoon, almost 24 hours after
the murder, detectives finally
track down the elusive
jeffrey cook.
Track down the elusive jeffrey cook. >> they locate jeffrey.
Jeffrey cook. >> they locate jeffrey. They bring him in for an
interview.
>> what's this about?
Interview. >> what's this about? >> about the murder of
will walker.
>> the fireman?
Will walker. >> the fireman? Man, I didn't have nothing to do
with that.
>> jeffrey's telling them that
the night of the murder he was
actually, you know, several
miles away at a friend's house.
Actually, you know, several miles away at a friend's house. >> dude got shot, and people
start hitting me up, said they
see the police around the house,
thought that maybe I was the one
did it.
Thought that maybe I was the one did it. >> narrator: Detectives have
their doubts about jeffrey's
story.
Their doubts about jeffrey's story. >> he has a long rap sheet,
crimes, drugs, and possibly gang
relations.
Crimes, drugs, and possibly gang relations. >> we're gonna have to check on
that, jeffrey.
Why don't you stay put.
That, jeffrey. Why don't you stay put. >> it's no secret that he had a
why don't you stay put. >> it's no secret that he had a problem with will.
And to detectives, that's motive
for murder.
>> narrator: But a deeper records check proves jeffrey is telling the truth.
Records check proves jeffrey is telling the truth. >> detectives got a warrant to
search for jeffrey's phone
records, and when they received
the results, it backed up
jeffrey's story that he actually
was, in fact, several miles away
when the homicide happened.
Was, in fact, several miles away when the homicide happened. >> narrator: Though the
investigation is at a
standstill, the following
morning detectives receive a tip
that kicks things back into high
gear.
That kicks things back into high gear. [ telephone rings ]
>> police receive a tip that
uloma's ex, matthew burns, may
have some involvement.
Uloma's ex, matthew burns, may have some involvement. >> narrator: Matthew burns just
happens to be someone cleveland
police know well.
Happens to be someone cleveland police know well. >> it turns out that uloma's ex,
matthew burns, had a long
history of arrests for violent
crimes.
History of arrests for violent crimes. >> they didn't get along and had
a really bad, nasty breakup.
>> it wouldn't be a stretch to
think that this guy was capable
of murder.
Think that this guy was capable of murder. >> uloma had fought her way out
of that relationship, but maybe
he just couldn't take no for an
answer.
He just couldn't take no for an answer. ♪
cleveland, ohio, have just received a promising new lead in the murder of fire department
lieutenant will walker.
>> police receive a tip that
uloma's ex, matthew burns, may
have killed will.
>> before uloma married
will walker, she was in a
relationship with matthew.
And that started very well, but
over the period of 15 years,
that just disintegrated.
>> narrator: According to the
tip, uloma and matthew's
relationship began to
deteriorate once uloma
discovered matthew had a violent
criminal past.
>> eventually, the truth came to
light, and uloma left him.
>> uloma and her ex-boyfriend,
matthew, had a really bad, nasty
breakup.
>> narrator: But the moment
detectives run the name
matthew burns through their
database, the lead dries up.
>> at the time of the murder, he
was sitting in a jail cell.
>> he was arrested on an
unrelated charge.
>> narrator: Still, the lead
opens investigators up to the
possibility that someone else in
will and uloma's inner circle
could be involved in the murder.
>> with investigations, you
really want to start with the
people close to the victim
and then fan out from there.
>> narrator: So detectives decide to take a closer look at will's ex-wife, kendra benedict,
and it isn't long before they
uncover something suspicious.
And it isn't long before they uncover something suspicious. >> they discover that he had
this life-insurance policy worth
about $100,000.
This life-insurance policy worth about $100,000. And actually the beneficiary was
still his ex-wife, kendra,
and actually the beneficiary was still his ex-wife, kendra, not uloma.
Still his ex-wife, kendra, not uloma. >> the insurance company told
police that will was in the
process of making uloma the
beneficiary.
Process of making uloma the beneficiary. For police, this raises a number
of red flags.
They wondered if kendra found
out and killed him before the
they wondered if kendra found out and killed him before the paperwork could go through.
>> the next step would be to
bring the ex-wife in and
question her.
>> narrator: On November 7th, four days after the murder, detectives sit down with
kendra benedict.
Detectives sit down with kendra benedict. >> thanks for coming in, kendra.
Kendra benedict. >> thanks for coming in, kendra. We just have a few questions to
ask you about will.
>> sure. Whatever I can do.
Ask you about will. >> sure. Whatever I can do. >> she explained that she
actually had a very good
relationship with her
ex-husband.
Relationship with her ex-husband. She got along well with will's
new wife.
Everything seemed to be going
well.
They made it work for the kids.
Well. They made it work for the kids. >> narrator: As for her
they made it work for the kids. >> narrator: As for her whereabouts at the time of
will's murder, kendra claims she
was at home with the children.
Will's murder, kendra claims she was at home with the children. >> kendra was extremely helpful.
Was at home with the children. >> kendra was extremely helpful. She wants to find out who killed
will just as much as anybody
she wants to find out who killed will just as much as anybody else.
Will just as much as anybody else. >> [ sighs ] our kids are really
torn up about this.
They were just in ireland with
their father two months ago.
>> ireland?
Their father two months ago. >> ireland? >> yeah. Their honeymoon.
Will and uloma's.
They took the kids with them,
will and uloma's. They took the kids with them, too.
>> narrator: But not all the
kids, as kendra explains.
>> one of the things that kind
of stuck out is that jacqueline
was not along on the trip.
Of stuck out is that jacqueline was not along on the trip. >> kendra said that will had a
really bad relationship with
jacqueline.
Really bad relationship with jacqueline. William just thought that she
was very spoiled.
>> it kept coming up again and
again that lieutenant walker did
not have a good relationship
with jacqueline.
Not have a good relationship with jacqueline. >> that'll be all for now.
With jacqueline. >> that'll be all for now. >> narrator: Detectives let
kendra go and begin to take a
closer look at will's
stepdaughter jacqueline.
Closer look at will's stepdaughter jacqueline. >> she said she had been with
friends that night.
However, detectives just
couldn't hammer out the exact
however, detectives just couldn't hammer out the exact timeline of her whereabouts
just yet.
Timeline of her whereabouts just yet. >> narrator: But before they can
do that, new information comes
in suggesting maybe kendra is
trying to throw them off track.
In suggesting maybe kendra is trying to throw them off track. >> one of will's co-workers
contacts detectives and tells
them something he'd overheard.
Contacts detectives and tells them something he'd overheard. >> about a week before he was
murdered, while he was at work,
will received a phone call.
Murdered, while he was at work, will received a phone call. >> the co-worker doesn't know
who he's talking to, but it's
very clear that will is angry
with this person.
Very clear that will is angry with this person. >> police are wondering, could
it be will arguing with kendra
about the insurance policy?
It be will arguing with kendra about the insurance policy? >> narrator: There's only one
way to find out.
>> detectives subpoenaed will's
phone records and discovered
that the phone call was actually
to a used car dealer in
columbus.
To a used car dealer in columbus. >> police find out that that
phone call was all about a car
deal that went bad and will was
just trying to get his down
payment back.
Just trying to get his down payment back. >> for police, it was just
another thing in a series of
dead ends.
Another thing in a series of dead ends. >> narrator: Which means that
when cleveland firefighters say
farewell to their fallen brother
eight days after the murder,
police are no closer to finding
his killer.
Police are no closer to finding his killer. >> based on the fact that he was
a highly respected firefighter,
there was a huge funeral.
A highly respected firefighter, there was a huge funeral. The mayor was in attendance.
>> there was a ton of firemen
that showed up, you know,
from all over the country.
>> narrator: However, the community response doesn't stop there.
Community response doesn't stop there. >> lieutenant walker's murder
was quite big deal.
The firefighters' unions was
offering money for information.
>> narrator: Two days after the
funeral, that offer generates
its first promising lead.
Funeral, that offer generates its first promising lead. >> detectives got a tip from a
woman whose son says that he
overheard a conversation between
a few of his friends concerning
the murder.
A few of his friends concerning the murder. >> they said it was a
murder-for-hire scheme to kill
will walker.
Murder-for-hire scheme to kill will walker. >> narrator: But will this
latest tip be another
frustrating dead end?
Latest tip be another frustrating dead end? Or will it be the break that
finally leads detectives to the
or will it be the break that finally leads detectives to the killer?
Finally leads detectives to the killer? >> it was a shock to everybody.
Killer? >> it was a shock to everybody. We weren't sure what was gonna
happen.
[ gunshot ]
♪
>> narrator: November 13, 2013.
10 days after an unknown gunman
murdered cleveland firefighter
will walker in his driveway,
detectives are following up on
the latest in a series of tips
they've received in their
investigation.
>> a woman told police that her
son had overheard a conversation
regarding the murder.
>> narrator: Still, detectives
have their doubts.
>> this investigation has
already been pulled in so many
directions.
>> narrator: So when detectives sit down with 23-year-old tommy wilson, they keep their
expectations low.
Tommy wilson, they keep their expectations low. >> your mom says you know who
shot the firefighter.
>> no. But I know chad.
>> chad padgett is will's
stepdaughter's boyfriend.
>> he overheard somebody saying
that chad paid somebody to kill
will.
>> I heard he hired a guy to
kill will -- the firefighter.
Yeah. That's all I know.
>> it seems as if the animosity
between will and jacqueline was
even worse than they thought.
>> they had their suspicions
about the couple, but they
didn't have a solid lead to
follow until now.
>> narrator: After releasing
tommy, detectives subpoena chad
and jacqueline's cellphone
records.
>> when the detectives get the
results of the phone records,
all kind of red flags go up.
>> around the time of the
murder, there was this flurry of
text messages, you know, with
jacqueline, with chad, and with
this unidentified person.
>> narrator: But it doesn't take detectives long to track down the owner of the third phone.
Detectives long to track down the owner of the third phone. >> the party that jacqueline and
her boyfriend were in
conversation with at the time of
the murder turns out to be a kid
named ryan dorty.
The murder turns out to be a kid named ryan dorty. >> narrator: Detectives pull
ryan's record and discover the
23-year-old has an extensive
criminal history.
In fact, he's just been booked
into the cuyahoga county jail on
in fact, he's just been booked into the cuyahoga county jail on an unrelated charge.
Into the cuyahoga county jail on an unrelated charge. >> he's been arrested for
robbing a dollar store a week
earlier.
Robbing a dollar store a week earlier. >> if ryan did murder will, why
would chad ask him to do it?
Was jacqueline seriously mad
enough about the ireland trip to
was jacqueline seriously mad enough about the ireland trip to murder her own stepdad?
Enough about the ireland trip to murder her own stepdad? What was the motive here?
Murder her own stepdad? What was the motive here? >> narrator: When detectives
what was the motive here? >> narrator: When detectives attempt to speak with ryan,
they're met with resistance.
Attempt to speak with ryan, they're met with resistance. [ phone hangs up ]
>> he refused to talk to
investigators.
>> narrator: With ryan unwilling
to cooperate, detectives try a
different approach.
To cooperate, detectives try a different approach. >> they had already talked to
jacqueline, but before they
talked to her and chad again,
they figured they'd get some
information from uloma first.
They figured they'd get some information from uloma first. >> narrator: A few weeks after
her husband's murder,
uloma walker sits down with
investigators a second time.
Uloma walker sits down with investigators a second time. >> police want to find out more
information regarding
jacqueline's relationship with
will.
Jacqueline's relationship with will. >> narrator: However, uloma has
little to offer.
When it comes to jacqueline's boyfriend, chad padgett, uloma has even less to say.
Although it appears she has little insight into why chad and her daughter might want will
dead, it's clear that uloma is
still heartbroken over her
husband's death.
It's an answer detectives are determined to find.
But how long will it take? >> the wheels of justice turn slowly, they say, and this case
kind of lags for a year as
police gather records and slowly
build their case.
Police gather records and slowly build their case. >> part of the hold-up is
chad padgett's phone records end
up connecting two more names to
the murder conspiracy.
Up connecting two more names to the murder conspiracy. >> narrator: One is 20-year-old
chris hein.
>> they have these texts with
chad and chris, where chad is
trying to buy a gun from chris.
Chad and chris, where chad is trying to buy a gun from chris. >> narrator: The other is
23-year-old jerry mendenhall.
>> detectives aren't sure what
his role is, but they do know
that chad and chris both texted
jerry in the hours leading up to
the murder.
Jerry in the hours leading up to the murder. ♪
>> they're crossing every t,
dotting every I, but it takes
a while.
Dotting every I, but it takes a while. >> narrator: Finally, on August
5, 2015, detectives sit down
with jerry mendenhall.
>> jerry.
With jerry mendenhall. >> jerry. >> detectives have pretty much
exhausted all of their options
at this point.
Exhausted all of their options at this point. So their best bet is to get one
of the people involved in the
so their best bet is to get one of the people involved in the conspiracy to rat on the other
parties involved.
Conspiracy to rat on the other parties involved. And they're hoping that jerry is
that weak link.
>> the night the firefighter got
killed, what were you doing with
chad padgett?
Killed, what were you doing with chad padgett? >> look, I didn't do nothing.
Chad padgett? >> look, I didn't do nothing. All I did was give him a lift,
him and ryan.
>> ryan?
Him and ryan. >> ryan? >> jerry said that chris paid
him $20 to take chad and ryan
over to the east side.
Him $20 to take chad and ryan over to the east side. >> so, he's got chad, he's got
ryan with him, and they're
heading over, and chad explains
that what he's going to do
is get his stash of weed out of
will's house.
Is get his stash of weed out of will's house. >> something went wrong, though.
Will's house. >> something went wrong, though. ♪
>> yeah. Thanks, man.
>> chad and ryan get out of
the car.
Minutes go by.
The car. Minutes go by. >> they come running back to the
minutes go by. >> they come running back to the car.
They're all sweaty and agitated.
Car. They're all sweaty and agitated. Jerry says, "what happened?"
they're all sweaty and agitated. Jerry says, "what happened?" >> go, go, go, go, man!
Man, we just robbed somebody,
man.
>> y'all didn't say nothing
about no robbery.
>> so?
About no robbery. >> so? >> get out.
>> what?
>> both of you, get out!
Get out.
>> this is more than jerry
get out. >> this is more than jerry signed on for, so he kicks them
out of the car and takes off.
Signed on for, so he kicks them out of the car and takes off. If jerry's story is accurate,
this places chad and ryan at the
if jerry's story is accurate, this places chad and ryan at the scene of the murder.
This places chad and ryan at the scene of the murder. >> all right, jerry, stay put.
Scene of the murder. >> all right, jerry, stay put. We got a few things to check
into.
>> narrator: After talking to
jerry, detectives believe they
finally have enough ammo to
bring chad padgett in for
questioning.
Bring chad padgett in for questioning. >> they decide to tell chad what
jerry told them about what
happened that night.
Jerry told them about what happened that night. >> chad essentially confirms
jerry's story that jerry drove
him so that he could pick up his
marijuana stash and that ryan
went along just so he can buy
some weed.
>> narrator: And according to chad, they were still on the front porch when will pulled up
in the driveway.
Front porch when will pulled up in the driveway. >> who's that?
In the driveway. >> who's that? >> jackie's stepdad.
>> okay.
Wait here.
>> chad says ryan went rogue and
wait here. >> chad says ryan went rogue and he decided to rob will as he was
getting home and that scared
chad so much he ran away, didn't
really see what happened, and
then ryan comes running back.
>> chad says he had no idea that will got shot.
>> narrator: According to chad, it was only later that evening that he learned the truth.
>> chad is trying to pin this on ryan, but the police don't believe him.
Ryan, but the police don't believe him. >> something is not adding up
with his story.
>> narrator: After collecting
chad's statement, detectives
place him under arrest.
Chad's statement, detectives place him under arrest. >> he's admitting now that he
was with ryan, that ryan had a
gun.
We had enough evidence at that point in time to charge chad. >> narrator: Now the question
for detectives is, what will
ryan dorty have to say about
chad's story?
Ryan dorty have to say about chad's story? >> they show ryan bits of chad's
interview, showing where chad is
trying to pin it all on ryan.
Interview, showing where chad is trying to pin it all on ryan. They hope that he starts
talking.
>> he's not budging.
Talking. >> he's not budging. He's denying everything.
>> this puts detectives in a
he's denying everything. >> this puts detectives in a bind.
While they can put ryan and chad
at the scene of the crime, they
while they can put ryan and chad at the scene of the crime, they have no way to prove that chad
paid ryan or that they went over
there specifically to kill will.
Paid ryan or that they went over there specifically to kill will. ♪
[ telephone rings ]
>> the next day, they get a
phone call from chad's mother.
And she says, "he's ready to
talk.
He wants to tell you
everything."
he wants to tell you everything." >> narrator: What detectives
don't realize is that chad's
statement will include a
revelation that no one saw
coming.
Revelation that no one saw coming. >> what chad tells police is
gonna take this case into an
entirely new direction.
Gonna take this case into an entirely new direction. >> it was right there all along.
Entirely new direction. >> it was right there all along. >> you found the person that was
responsible for this heinous
act, but it was someone that
will loved.
Act, but it was someone that will loved. ♪
>> narrator: August 11, 2015.
It's been nearly two years since
the murder of cleveland fire
lieutenant william walker, and
police have finally made an
arrest -- 21-year-old
chad padgett.
>> chad admits that he was in
the area the night of the
murder, but he sticks to the
story that he had nothing to do
with it and he was only there to
sell some weed.
>> narrator: But after spending
a night in jail, chad padgett
starts singing a different tune.
>> we got a call from chad's
mother, and chad's mother tells
us that chad's ready to talk
and, "he's gonna lay it all
out for you."
>> this time, chad admits he and
ryan went over to the house that
night planning to murder will.
>> narrator: Although according to chad, much of what he told detectives in the first
interview was true.
But when detectives press for details, chad adds a new wrinkle to the story.
>> chad told police uloma was behind the whole thing.
>> uloma offered him $10,000 to kill her husband, to kill will.
>> then, according to chad, he'd
gotten ryan on board, and they
did exactly what uloma wanted.
>> narrator: Chad's confession gives detectives almost everything they need, with one
exception.
Everything they need, with one exception. >> we asked chad if he knew why
uloma would want her husband
dead, and he had no idea.
Uloma would want her husband dead, and he had no idea. >> narrator: But detectives know
someone who might, so they place
uloma's daughter jacqueline
under arrest for conspiracy.
Uloma's daughter jacqueline under arrest for conspiracy. >> they knew she had been
texting all of these players at
the time of the crime, and they
felt strongly that she was
involved.
Felt strongly that she was involved. >> narrator: Once jacqueline is
in the hot seat, she proves them
right.
>> jacqueline flips on
everybody to save herself.
>> she admits that her mom was the mom was the ringleader, she was the one who set everything
up.
Was the one who set everything up. >> jacqueline tells us that
uloma ran up a tremendous
credit-card bill and that she
hoped that by killing will,
number one, that he wouldn't
find out about it, and, number
two, the money from the
life-insurance policy would pay
the credit-card bills.
Life-insurance policy would pay the credit-card bills. >> narrator: But according to
jacqueline, once will was dead,
uloma's plan fell apart when she
laid eyes on the actual
life-insurance policy.
Laid eyes on the actual life-insurance policy. >> as it turns out, the ex-wife
was the beneficiary.
>> the life insurance was not on
her name.
So, she didn't do enough
research before she put this
so, she didn't do enough research before she put this murder-for-hire plan into
motion.
Murder-for-hire plan into motion. >> narrator: On September 8,
2015, detectives place uloma
under arrest for her husband's
murder.
>> she refuses to give up any information or cooperate at all. >> narrator: When they get wind
of uloma's arrest, will's
friends and fellow firefighters
are stunned.
Friends and fellow firefighters are stunned. >> I was dumbfounded.
Are stunned. >> I was dumbfounded. I was in the room with her when
the doctors came in and, you
know, said that he had passed,
you know, leading up to that
point.
She deserves a freakin' emmy,
you know, for the way she was
acting that night.
>> there was a sense of
betrayal, a real sense of
betrayal.
>> narrator: When uloma's trial begins in June of 2017, prosecutors hope the jury will
see things the same way.
Prosecutors hope the jury will see things the same way. >> the prosecutors paint uloma
as this very manipulative,
very conniving woman.
As this very manipulative, very conniving woman. >> narrator: Though to secure a
conviction, prosecutors have a
huge hurdle to overcome.
>> there is no physical evidence
that uloma had anything to do
with the murder.
In order to convict uloma, prosecutors are going to have to rely on all the other
co-conspirators.
Rely on all the other co-conspirators. >> narrator: Daughter
jacqueline, her boyfriend,
chad padgett, trigger man
ryan dorty, and even chris hein,
who sold chad the murder weapon,
all agree to testify against
uloma.
All agree to testify against uloma. >> the prosecutors build their
case around testimony of these
co-conspirators in exchange for
reduced sentences and plea
deals.
Reduced sentences and plea deals. >> narrator: Jerry mendenhall,
who unwittingly drove chad and
ryan to will's house the night
of the murder, also testifies.
>> since jerry, according to
chad, was just under the
impression that they were on a
marijuana run, he's never
charged in connection with the
murder.
>> it's a complicated case to present to a jury because there is so many different people
involved, so many different
stories.
Involved, so many different stories. >> narrator: But according to
prosecutors, they all add up to
one conclusion -- that when
uloma sent will out to pick up
dinner that night...
Uloma sent will out to pick up dinner that night... >> hey!
Dinner that night... >> hey! >> narrator: ...She was really
sending him to his death.
[ gunshots ]
>> I think that's the thing that
stands out most -- it was very
cold and calculated.
Stands out most -- it was very cold and calculated. [ gunshots ]
>> narrator: However, when it's
the defense's turn, they argue
that jacqueline, chad, and their
friends had simply found uloma
to be a convenient scapegoat.
Friends had simply found uloma to be a convenient scapegoat. >> other that the testimony of
the co-conspirators, there's
nothing actually linking uloma
to will's murder.
Nothing actually linking uloma to will's murder. >> they're also, at the same
time, pointing their finger at
jacqueline.
Time, pointing their finger at jacqueline. >> they claim jacqueline was the
one who really had a problem
with will.
One who really had a problem with will. >> narrator: But has uloma's
defense team done enough to
plant the seed of reasonable
doubt in the minds of the
jury?
Doubt in the minds of the jury? >> juries being what they are,
you never know what they're
gonna do, how they're gonna
react.
Gonna do, how they're gonna react. >> it took the jury less than
two hours to find uloma guilty.
>> when she was found guilty,
that was a bittersweet,
bittersweet day.
That was a bittersweet, bittersweet day. It's sweet that they brought the
person to justice, but it's very
it's sweet that they brought the person to justice, but it's very bitter, the person who they had
to bring to justice.
Bitter, the person who they had to bring to justice. >> narrator: In exchange for
testifying against uloma,
chad padgett, ryan dorty, and
christopher hein all accept
plea deals.
Christopher hein all accept plea deals. >> all three of them are still
serving a fairly lengthy prison
sentence.
Serving a fairly lengthy prison sentence. >> narrator: Will's
stepdaughter, jacqueline, still
a juvenile at the time of the
murder, never serves a single
day of actual prison time.
Murder, never serves a single day of actual prison time. >> she's actually sentences to
the juvenile-detention facility
until her 21st birthday.
The juvenile-detention facility until her 21st birthday. But then they let her our on
parole, and currently she's
but then they let her our on parole, and currently she's free.
>> narrator: As for uloma,
she'll be in prison until the
day she dies.
>> uloma gets life with parole.
>> she's never getting out of
jail.
It was a good thing, but it's
not gonna bring will back.
>> the biggest tragedy out of
this whole incident is that you
took away a person who had so
much more to give, so much more
to give to his family that loved
him, who he loved, a man who had
so much more to give to his
department.
And you took away a man that had
so much more to give to his
community.