Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Kevin.... you are still missed, and often thought about.

officer
ohio

December 10, 2006

I may have never known you personally but the way you live on in this department makes me feel I did. The way you touched the lives of the people at this department is awesome. Your spirit lives on here in every aspect of our jobs. You are in each and everyone's thoughts and prayers everyday. I wasn't here last March however, I have heard the story. I feel honored to be a part of such a large family. And to work in at an angecy that holds one great man so close to their hearts after time has passed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. You were an awesome officer, friend, co-worker, family member. God speed!

Holly Pennington, Dispatch
Panama City Beach Police Dept

September 6, 2006

When I first met Kevin, I was working Dispatch and going through the academy. He always had a smile and a word of encouragement when I needed it. His personality and humor would light up a room. I will never forget you Sgt Kight. I know that you are looking over us and hope you know we are trying to make you proud. God bless you and your family!!

Deputy Christopher Clark
Clark County Sheriff's Office - Ohio

August 31, 2006

You are missed by all those that love you and their hearts will never fully heal. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father

August 26, 2006

God Speed Sergeant...You are missed by us all. Mant Good Cops like you die everyday in the War the Never Ends.
You are missed by us all...even though most of us never knew you in person...in words you are a brother that has been lost. Every Cop is a Brother or Sister to the other...same agency or not..we're all brother and sisters sworn to portect..

GOD SPEED SIR
Cadt. SGT Matthew Baldwin

Cadt. Sergeant Matthew Baldwin
Panama City Police Explorers Post 330

August 22, 2006

Sergeant Kight the day you were passed on I stood in the rain and watched as the biggest celebration of one's life passed by. There were more cars and people lining 23rd ST than any day I've ever seen in my life. I will never forget all the cars from all over the panhandle going by and all the people standing in the rain to pay there respect. I was just getting into law enforcement when this tragedy happened. It thought me that we pay a price to serve the people of this great country and that no one day is a given. I got to stand face to face with your killer at the Bay County Jail three days later and never felt such anger in my life. He was weak and scared and he knew the rest of his days would be lived in vain. It took all we had not to break him apart right there. I stood at your memorial tonight, at the very spot were everything went bad and I thanked you for your service. I hope I can be a man in blue and make your name proud. Thank you for your service! Rest always brother we got it from here.

Patrolman, Hudgens
Cedar Gorve Police Department

August 21, 2006

Although it has been over a year, March 27, 2005 was a day my husband and I never expected in more than one way. That morning we found out I was pregnant with our youngest son, and I decided not to go in to work that night on the beach detail, to make sure I didn't get hurt. That night I was home and Neil was working, and I heard on my police radio that an officer was down on the beach. The tears started to fall and I called to see if Neil was okay, and when he told me it was you, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The last time I saw you in February 2005 we worked the Mardi Gras detail together, you walked into the training room at my department, hugged me and said hi....I just wish I had known that was the last time I'd see you smile. Your endless jokes and laughter filled any room you were in, and I know that you are missed by both of us and anyone who ever knew you. Although the time we all shared was not long enough, we did have a lot of fun. The times we played softball or partied at your house, I'm so glad we had the chance to know you Kevin, you were an incredible friend and officer. You were taken from us all way too soon! You live on in our hearts and you'll never be forgotten Kevin! God Bless Christina and Brandon, I hope they know we are always here for them!

Ofc. Amanda Rubel #1503
Panama City Police Department

July 15, 2006

I am proud to have served the citzens and visitors of the City of Panama City Beach through the Panama City Beach Police Dept. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about the sacrifices you continue to make and the ultimate sacrifice made by Sgt. Kight. My heart goes out to you, the men and women of the PCBPD, as you continue to grieve and miss your brother in arms. I know he will never be forgotten. To Sgt. Kights' family, he was a hero, a man who loved you, and he continues to serve as a role model for all of us who continue to serve. May God continue to bless all of you.

Stewart F. Romack, Captain
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Law Enforcement
Bureau of Environmental Investigations

Captain Stewart F. Romack
FDEP, Law Enforcement, Investigations

June 9, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 4, 2006

Kevin,
I met your Mom recently she is a wonderful lady. Will be going to Washington for the Memorial Service again this year. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. I pray that you are watching over us all from heaven. Kevin, I feel a sincere connection to you. When I say your name it immediately caught my eye. You see my maiden name is Kight and my brother's name is Kevin Kight also. Not sure if we are related by blood, but we are related by law enforcement. You see my Uncle Steve Dennard went to be with the Lord on 5/5/83. He was a Corrections Officer at UCI in Florida. Actually he was more like a brother to me because he was only 18 months old when I was born. I miss him so very much as your family does you. Your family and ours will continue to keep each other in our prayers and will never let your sacrifice go unnoticed. God Bless You.

Debra Kight Newton
President, NE FLA COPS

April 12, 2006

Sir,
I was there....I saw you fall. It's almost been a year and in remembrance I say this: Thank you, for all that you have given. You were a loving father, son, husband, and a d*mn good officer. God Bless you and keep you safe.

Cadet Ricketts
Air Force ROTC

April 10, 2006

One year ago today I heard of this tragedy. I was in shock and then I came to this web site to see if it was true, and unfortunately it was. Kevin you will never know the impact that you have had on others, Christina and Brandon will always know. I considered you to be a friend and I still mourn the loss of my friend. To all who knew Kevin, he is missed on a daily basis, his impact on people will never be forgotten.

Derek Barker
Springfield, Oh

March 28, 2006

One year has passed since we lost Kevin in the line of duty. Thank you to all who supported us this past year. A memorial marker was placed today at the site where Kevin gave his life for his community. His friends and family were all there. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Chief Robert H. Harding
Panama City Beach Police Department

March 27, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you on this one year anniversary of Sergeant Kight's passing. He will forever be remembered as a hero.

They are gone, but they are never forgotten.

Carin E. Sollman, surviving spouse
Officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

March 27, 2006

One year later, I pay tribute to this wonderful man who paid a tragic price for this county and it protection. My salutations to the bravery of Sergeant Kight, his wife Christina, and his beautiful Brandon.

Crystal Grey-Hewett

March 27, 2006

Sergeant Kight, thank you for your service to the citizens of Ohio and Florida. You are a hero. Rest in peace my brother in blue. May God bless you and your loved ones.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

March 27, 2006

Kevin, It has been 8 years since we spoke. I remember the day you left German Township. I was excited for you and sad for us. I knew you had to go but I was worried that our Department would fall apart without you. You made being a police officer fun for me. I am proud to tell people that I knew you and called you my friend. I will never forget you. You and your family will always be in my prayers. I will see you again someday. Bye.

Deputy J. Rodgers
Clark County Sheriff's Office-Ohio

March 27, 2006

Kevin,

Today marks one year since your passing. I see Brandon every once in a while, and every time I see him, I think of the wonderful job you did in raising your son. There is not one member of the department you did not touch in one way or another. You knew how to always make someone smile, no matter what the situation. You always led by example, and stressed to be constructive, not destructive.

We all miss you. Your memory lives on. I hope I can be half the police officer and half the father you were to your son.

Rest in peace brother. I will always remember you.

Officer Alex Foster
Panama City Beach Police Departmment

March 27, 2006

Kevin, it has been one year today since you were taken to patrol heaven and two years today since I was shot. I have had to stop on several occasions and wonder why not me? I have returned to work 20 months after the fact but it still is in my mind. we met in middle march of 04 when you came to Bonifay to pick up 4 armed robbery suspects I never would have thought we both would have been where we have been in the last two years and never would it have been on the same day one year apart! I belive we are all on earth for a reason by paying the ultimate price you may have saved several more god will only know. Brother I will promise you this we will carry one in you name may God bless your familey and the Beach Police 10-87 my brother until we are all united for that great roll call in the sky!

Officer Steven Lee

March 27, 2006

God bless you, dear ones as you
remember Kevin on the anniversary
of his death. Time has not diminished his sacrifice nor the pain
of his passing. May God comfort
your broken hearts. With love from
one coast of America to the other.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 27, 2006

I hold your family in prayer as they face the one year anniversary of that horrible day that you were senselessly taken from them. May they feel the love and support of the Creator. May you know the peace and joy of the Kingdom of God.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

March 26, 2006

Sgt. Kight,
As the first anniversary of your tragic death approaches, please know that you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. Heroes live forever...

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

March 25, 2006

SGT. Kight your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Care now. May you rest in peace brother.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

March 17, 2006

As the 1st Anniversary of this tragedy approaches, God Bless all the members of the Panama City Beach Police Department as well as his wife and son. I was there recently watching the "kids" on Front Beach Road during Spring Break, I am sure Kevin was there also watching over all the mania.

Tallahassee Police Department

March 17, 2006

An old Sgt. of mine e-mailed me an article on Sgt. Kight, which both saddened me and at the same time inspired me. For his wife and child this is what hero's look like in the real world... They look just like your husband and father.
God Bless Betty

Betty Brooks (ex-police officer)
PI

December 27, 2005