Walter Skippy was a TV news reporter in Dick Tracy's city. He had light wavy hair, a broad smile and typically wore a bow tie. He worked for Channel One Action News. During an incident in which satellite communications were disrupted in the city, Dick Tracy and Lizz happened across an armed robbery at a liquor store. They called for backup, but the call was mistaken routed to a local TV news van, which soon arrived on the scene. Walter Skippy, the on-air field reporter, was pleased to have a scoop but soon realized the peril of the situation.