Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I don’t know you but I saw your name today on I-40 WB and felt compelled to look up your name. I’m so sorry to your loved ones your life was cut so tragically short. And I pray they found comfort.

Julianne Comminications Specialist
Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office

August 10, 2024

Passed your memorial today, and reminded me of my great uncles passing, and another fellow trooper Rick Lebow who was a good friend of the family and was friends with dad and Ret Trooper Robin Kuykendall. Your stories and stories of my great uncle who was the town marshal in Alma killed by the Barrow Gang inspired me to become a LEO. I was a dispatcher, jailer, county deputy, forensic analyst, city police officer, then went on to become Police Chief before having to medically retire but with the heart and strength of a law enforcement officer who seeks to never give up hope for Justice I have continued my work on Cold Cases, and Missing Persons Cases. Thank you for inspiring me, and your legend lives on, and has been an instrumental part in future trooper safety.

Retired Chief of Police Dalton Coody
4 different Arkansas agencies

June 12, 2022

RIP brother

Officer DL Brown
California Highway Patrol

March 29, 2021

Sgt. Pigue, was traveling through Arkansas and saw the memorial sign on the highway that now bears your name.
As a fellow LEO, I felt compelled to learn more.
God Rest You my brother.

Sgt. Albert J. Wysock
New Castle County, DE ret., Delaware City current

January 9, 2020

My name is Kelly Hopkins. My father, Jackie Hopkins, named me after his good friend and mentor ASP Sgt. Kelly R. Pigue. Let me just say that it is an honor to carry his name. My father was also a Trooper. He graduated the academy 6 weeks before Kelly's accident, and Kelly never got to see him in uniform.

Kelly Hopkins
Namesake

September 19, 2014

I was on duty at the time, and was the first Trooper to arrive at the accident scene. Kelly had been to Augusta to visit one of his troopers, and was returning to Wynne. In a driving rain, with gusting high winds, a Westbound tractor trailer rig lost control, and suddenly veered into Kelly's lane striking his unit head on. The accident occurred near the Languille River bridges. Kelly was my Post Sergant and friend.

Sr. Corporal John E. West Retired
Arkansas State Police

December 10, 2013

I REMEMBER WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I PERSONALLY DID NOT KNOW KELLY BUT KNEW OF HIM AND REMEMBERED THE SADNESS OF LOSING ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF TROOPERS. LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING BACK TO THE HOUSE ON THE SNOW/ICE COVERED ROADS IN HARRISON, I WAS THINKING OF ALL THE "OLD MEN" FROM THE DAYS WHEN I WAS A YOUNG TROOPER IN EL DORADO AND HARRISON, OF J.D. TUBERVILLE, JOE BREWER (SGT.'S) WHO GUIDED OR NURTURED ME IN MY CAREER AND HOW I MISS THEM SO.

SR. CPL. ROBERT MEEK
TROOP F & I ASP--RETIRED

December 8, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 8, 2011

I was 7 years old when my Uncle Kelly passed away. I still remember it like it was yesterday. My dad, my brother and I were in the garage when my mother came to the door and said, " Von, you need to come inside, your brother Ronald is on the phone. " This is when we learned of my dad's youngest brother's accident. I was young, but I remember it well. I was really going to miss my Uncle. He made such an impact on everyone he knew. I've never met anyone who said they didn't care for him, I've always heard that once you met him you never forgot him. Some of the things he accomplished in life were..He served as crowd control in Memphis the night that Martin Luther king was shot. He was an avid outdoorsman who had fished with the likes of Rayo Breckinridge and Bill Dance. He was also a tremendous athlete who signed a minor league baseball contract for the Boston RedSox the night he graduated high school in 1958. A major league scout who also played minor league baseball when my uncle played recently told me " If Kelly Pigue didn't throw the ball 100 mph, nobody ever has.". He was also quite a character who was known for the pranks he would pull on people. Most of all he was known for his character as a person. Always giving, always caring. He is missed so much by all his family and friends, and he was taken from us way too soon. What a contribution he made in the 38 years he was with us.

Chris Pigue
Nephew

March 4, 2011

MY NAME IS KELLY MARIE ROBERTS TAYLOR. MY FATHER NAMED ME AFTER HIS GOOD FRIEND, SGT KELLY PIGUE, WHEN I WAS BORN IN 1972. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT MR. PIGUE. HE MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY BRAVE AND GOOD MAN OR MY DAD WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FRIENDS WITH HIM. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF TERRIBLE THINGS HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND I ONLY WISH THAT SGT PIGUE COULD HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR ME TO TALK TO. MAYBE THEN THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER AND DIFFERENT. HE IS ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHT AND PRAYERS.

Anonymous

February 14, 2010

Rest in Peace Brother- You are not forgotten.

Trooper
Arkansas State Police

December 29, 2009

I had the pleasure of knowing Kelly when I was a young man. My Dad worked for him and I was friends with his two sons, Bryan and Kenny. I spent time with the family for years following Kelly's death. I saw the change his family went through after his death and how hard it was for them to deal with the loss of their leader. It wasn't until later, when I started getting older, that I realized what a sacrifice Kelly and his family made for the people of Arkansas.

Sergeant Lance Huey
Arkansas State Police

November 2, 2009

The honor of your service and sacrifice are not forgotten.

Trooper
Arkansas State Police

December 8, 2008

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Pigue. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 19, 2008

Rest in Peace Troop.

Trooper C. Conrad
FHP/Troop G/Palatka

March 26, 2008

I had the honor and pleasure of working with, and then for Kelly, who was my friend and fishing partner. The accident that claimed Sgt Pigue's life was caused by a semi losing control,crossing into the opposing traffic lane, and striking the State Police Unit head on. He had been to visit one of his troopers, and was returning to Wynne at the time the accident occurred. Loving husband, and father of two sons.

Sr. Corporal John E. West (Retired)
Arkansas State Police

December 14, 2007

I had the honor and pleasure to work with Kelly at the Oaklawn Park horse races in the early 1970's. He was a joy to be around. Smart, dedicated and friendly. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet he was a good Christian man from his demeanor and actions. We miss him and this world needs a lot more men like him.

God bless his family and friends,
Larry

Sgt. Larry H. Gentry (retired)
Arkansas State Police

December 7, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 5, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 18, 2007

Kelly, we had a lot of laughts over your job and last name. I was so proud of you for the promotion. I was gone from the department at the time of your accident but my heart was with you and your family.

Rest well friend.

Terry

January 13, 2006

May Sgt. Kelly Ray Pigue rest in God's eternal reward for making the ultimate sacrifice in a profession of dedication and service to one's community. God bless all those who have had to continue on without you.

Anita L. Culosi
sister of Tpr. S. J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

September 13, 2005