Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

19 years.

Has it been so long, Brother? I'm at a new agency, living my best life. Your legacy is being passed on to those I speak with. The laughter, the leadership, the loss. It's all there in the stories I share. Your picture hangs on my office wall. To say I learned a lot about life through working with you, and your loss, is an understatement. The night you were lost was the worst of my life, but looking at it (in your words) "constructively, not destructively" I can see the changes I have made, and a path to helping others through their own dark times.

I miss your light, your laughter and your simple kindness to everyone you came into contact with. But I know you watch from above.

Thank you for teaching me some of the hardest and greatest lessons of my life.
May you never be forgotten.

With gratitude, respect and love, Brother,

Lorah
Former PCBPD K9

March 27, 2024

Was a pleasure to serve the citizens of the Beach with Kevin. Not only was he a great mentor as one of my FTO’s, he was also a great friend. I remember being teammates in softball and him inviting me over on Christmas Day for lunch with him and his family so I wouldn’t have lunch alone due to having to work on the holiday. He was an amazing person and brother in arms....Rest in Peace Sarge

Ofc. Nathan Douglas
Former PCBPD

March 27, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

March 27, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Kight.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 26, 2020

Late officer’s son looks to become part of same agency

Posted: Jan 22, 2020 My Panhandle

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — In March of 2005, Sergeant Kevin Kight was shot and killed during a traffic stop.

Kight was part of Panama City Beach’s Police Department during the time of the incident.

Now, 15 years later, his son Brandon is vying for a spot in the same agency.

On Wednesday, he completed the final step of the application process which was an interview with Chief Drew Whitman and the city’s Civil Service Board.

“I haven’t been nervous at all. I’ve been in the academy since August. I was a welder before this but I wasn’t happy with it and I was thinking to myself, I’ve grown up in the station, I’ve grown up in this life so I might enjoy it,” Kight said.

While going through the academy, Kight has been working as an auxiliary/ reserve officer with PCBPD.

Kight’s mother, Christina Kight-McVay says she wasn’t that surprised when her son told her about the career move but she was understandably concerned.

“Scared is not the word. I am very proud of him, extremely proud of him and I know that his dad is extremely proud looking down on him. I feel good that he is here. He feels comfortable. He’s got a ton of people around him to support him,” said Kight- McVay.

She says she also finds comfort in knowing her son will always carry a piece of his dad with him.

“I saved a lot of his dad’s gear and so when he started the academy, as he has needed things, I have brought those items out. For example, his dad’s handcuffs. He carries his dad’s handcuffs. They still have the etching with his dad’s initials on them,” she said.

Speaking to him, Kight says he knows he didn’t want to work for any other agency other than the one his dad did but wants to create his own legacy.

“This is my life. I want to be the best I can. He left some big footsteps to fill but I’m hoping to outgrow those footsteps,” Kight said.

Chief Whitman worked alongside Sgt. Kight and has watched his newest prospect grow up. He says if his Kight is anything like his former colleague, he’ll do a great job.

“Kevin had a great heart. He cared about the community, wanted to serve the community, he wanted to protect the people in the community. His [Brandon] dad was an amazing person. I know his mother, she is an amazing young lady, if he gets half of both of them, we got a great candidate,” Whitman said.

Luckily for Whitman, Kight- McVay says her son is a lot like his dad.

“He is like his dad in so many ways. Talking with people, listening to people. The way he comprehends and learns. Yeah, he is a mini-Kevin,” said Kight- McVay said.

Kight says even though he’s embarking on a new journey, lessons he learned from dad will always stick with him.

“Not everything is as it seems, there’s a lot of good left in this world and you just have to look for it.”

Whitman says Kight will more than likely get the job as he’s looking to fill five positions. Only Kight and one other person interviewed on Wednesday.



Late officer’s son pinned as new police officer; five officers join agency

Posted: Feb 1, 2020 My Panhandle

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — The Panama City Beach Police Department welcomed in five new officers on Friday.

One of those new hires, the son of Sergeant Kevin Kight who was killed in the line of duty in 2005, Brandon Kight.

Kight’s mother, Christina, attended the ceremony and pinned her son with her late husband’s name tag.

All five hires are patrol officers with the agency.

Congratulations to Officer Michael Mathias, Officer Max Taverniti, Officer Bryan Walsingham, Officer Michael McDowell, and Officer Brandon Kight!

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

February 1, 2020

Seeing your son wearing your name tag on his PCBPD uniform brought tears to my eyes. I know your looking down so proud of him.

Ron Farmer

February 1, 2020

It's been a long time since I've been here on this page, but rest assured you are always with me, Kevin, my brother, my friend. Fourteen, almost fifteen years have passed and at last I can smile at the memories instead of holding back tears. You, my Brother, were the best of all of us back then. Sometimes, I think you still are. I have never forgotten your sacrifice that night. I never will. May you rest easy in the arms of the Archangels at home where you belong.

I had mixed feelings when I heard your son was following your footsteps, but its amazing to see the man he has become. May you continue to watch over us all, my Brother.

K9/L. Buchanan
former PCBPD

December 29, 2019

Happy Birthday

Panama City Friends

September 25, 2017

Sergeant Kight, it is hard to believe it has been nearly 12 years since the tragic day. I had the pleasure of meeting you through your Corproal Darrell Goodwin once. At the time I was a Patrolman with Crestview Police Department along with your Corporal Goodwin's brother Kelby. When we heard of the tragic events the night of your passing, we made sure the entire Crestview Police Department with the exception of who was on-duty came to pay our respects. It was an honor then and still is to this date. I remember your final ride, it was raining so hard that you could barely see the hood of your car and the ditches were filled with citizens holding signs, honoring you. The stood knee deep in water and refused to move with lightning striking around them. As much as I would like to see you resting in peace, I think it is only appropriate that we keep on remembering you. I want to thank you again for the job you done and for paying the ultimate sacrifice to keep citizens safe. It has always been said that we don't do this job for money but for the love. So please know that you will never be forgotten not as long as there are true cops who believe in honoring you.

Sergeant Waylon Gill
Niceville Police Department

April 12, 2017

I salute you my brother for your unselfish service. May your family assuage your loss, and that you watch over them from a better place. That coward will surely go to hell where he belongs. Rest in peace.

Lieutenant Ray Flores (Ret.)
N.Y.P.D.

March 27, 2017

IN HONORE CASORUM
Always honored, never forgotten, forever grateful for his service to his community and to our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his survivors today.

Sgt. T. Jake Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

March 27, 2017

Kevin, sometimes, like today, I think of you often. Its been over 11 years and I can still remember our last conversation. I still remember your laughter and your smile and I still remember being beside you the night you gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I don't think I ever realized until recently how much having you in my life would change me, how much losing you would change me and how much thinking about you would create the lessons in life I needed to grow and change the things I did not like about myself.

Your lessons in my life have taken hold now (okay, most of them) - Constructive not destructive - that was a tough one but I got it now. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your mentoring. More than all of that, thank you for being my friend and for watching over me all this time. I am more than grateful for the path that your presence and your loss has brought me.

Rest in peace, my Sergeant, my Brother, my Friend. You are still missed but I know as long as you remain in our hearts and memories, you will never be forgotten or truly gone.

L Buchanan

L. Buchanan K9 Ofc (ret)
panama city beach police department

November 16, 2016

Thinking of you today Kevin. You will not be forgotten.

Deputy Chief R Morris
BNSF Railway Police

April 13, 2016

Kevin you are deeply missed by everyone who knew you. RIP my friend

Derek Barker

March 27, 2016

Kevin,

I just learned of your passing, but remember the truly good man you were in our academy and how you brought some good humor to the situation when some folks got stressed. I also remember the sharp, hardworking Officer you were in German Township, while I worked nearby in Germantown.

Your kind and fair demeanor were an example for all of us and has left an impression on me for more than twenty years.

Your son has much to be proud of and by the Grace of God and nurturing parents, will be a man much like his father.

To his family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and ours.

Rest in peace old friend.

Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Eric Gough
Police Academy Cadets/friend

March 19, 2016

10 years ago, March 27, 2005, I lost a friend, a brother, a Sergeant to a man who chose to shoot and kill him instead of go to jail. That man's decision to kill Kevin took a child's father, a beautiful woman's husband and a friend/brother to many people. He truly took a light from the world the day he chose to kill Kevin.

In this past 10 years, we have all healed and moved on with our lives. His wife has remarried to an awesome man and is happy which is great to see! His son is growing into a man Kevin would be proud of, and we've all grown in our own ways.

May we never forget the sacrifice this man made for his community and those he chose to protect. May we never forget what his family and his friends lost. I know he's watching still - and always will!

Thank you, my Sergeant, my Brother, my Friend. May your star glow brightly from Heaven! I can look back now and smile at your memories, instead of crying for our loss. I will always remember.

L. Buchanan
Friend (former PCBPD K9 Ofc)

March 26, 2015

9 years later... I still remember that night like it was yesterday... You were a good friend and a great sergeant. I visited your grave today. Hope you are watching over us here.

Officer Allofus
Panama City Beach PD

March 27, 2014

9 years. It has been 9 years since I lost my Sergeant, my Brother, my Friend. I still miss you Kevin, but I can look back at the memories you left behind, instead of crying for my loss.

I get to see pictures of Brandon growing up (thanks facebook) and see how happy Christina is now. It is great to see everyone moving past the tears to live again. And it was well past time.

Your sacrifice for your city, community, friends and family will not be forgotten. Thank you my friend, and thanks for continuing to watch over us, I know that you do.

K9 Officer L. Buchanan
retired

March 26, 2014

I met and befriended your mother last weekend, and she spoke of you with such love and pride. I read you reflections and many referred to your smile. Your mom has a beautiful smile too, and I can see that is how you greeted the world. Today I honor your sacrifice, and I am so sorry you were robbed of your life so young,

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 1, 2013

R.I.P. Sgt. Thanks for your service.

Officer Rexford
Mexico Beach/Springfield PD

March 28, 2013

R.I.P. Sgt. Thank you for your service. May God comfort and protect your family.

Sr Special Agent BNSF Railway Police K9

March 27, 2013

I cannot believe that it's been 8 years all ready. It seems like yesterday when I last joked and laughed with you. I can remember that now, and for those memories of laughter I thank you, my Sergeant, my Friend.

"Lacrimarum pro perditam bellator, sint sicut potens hodie sicut dies optimum sum spare."

I miss you. I always will, but I smile instead of cry now. I think of Christina and Brandon often and hope they are well. I know you look out for them from high above.

Thank you for your lessons.

K9 Ofc. Lorah (former BPD)
PCPD

March 27, 2013

8 years ago the world lost a hero and a protector. I think of you often Kevin. Your laughter and smile and that wonderful sense of humor.

May you continue to watch over your brothers and sisters still on watch.
May God Bless and keep your family close.

Cathey
Dispatcher

March 27, 2013

It is hard to believe that it will be 8 years tomorrow that you were taken from us. You are missed every day.

Wayne Kight
Uncle

March 26, 2013

As I sit here on duty on this Saturday evening I can't help but to think about you and your sacrifice. Although I am new to the department and never personally knew you I feel I know you in spirit. I keep your picture in my patrol car and reflect at it often times. Everyone here thinks about you often and we will never forget you Sgt.

Patrol Officer
Panama City Beach Police Department

September 8, 2012