Benton County Judge Barry Moehring opened the ceremony Sunday afternoon remembering and honoring slain Pea Ridge Police Officer Kevin Apple.
Justice of the Peace Brian Armas read the resolution he introduced, that was approved by the Benton County Quorum Court, establishing Dec. 12 as Kevin Apple Day in honor of Apple's badge number -- 1212.
Mayor Jackie Crabtree praised the community for the support shown to the Police and Fire departments and thanked school officials for turning the lights at the football stadium to blue.
State Senator Cecile Bledsoe said she joined with members of the community in remembering and honoring Apple.
"The dedication ceremony of the Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway was a very nice event. I was pleased with the number of attendees. The citizens of Pea Ridge always pull together. I'm proud to be part of this great community. A huge thank you to everyone involved with putting the memorial highway together," said Police Chief Lynn Hahn.
"It takes a lot of red tape to name a state highway," Hahn said, commending the mayor, City Council, county judge, Quorum Court and Bentonville city officials. He also thanked Nathan See, city Street Department superintendent, for all of the work he and his staff performed in setting up the ceremony.
"We're really proud of our Fire Department. They hurt, too," Hahn said.
"Our community is awesome!
"When the chips are down, there's no community like Pea Ridge," Hahn said. "When a police officer dies, it doesn't just take away from the Police Department, it takes away from the whole community."
Pea Ridge Firefighters unveil a new sign, Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge. The city of Pea Ridge celebrated the life of Officer Kevin Apple, a police officer killed in the line of duty. The city unveiled the sign designating a portion of Highway 72 as Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway. Check out nwaonline.com/211213Daily/ for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Pea Ridge Police Chief Lynn Hahn (from left) accepts a gift to the Pea Ridge Police Station from Greg Crenshaw, Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge. The city of Pea Ridge celebrated the life of Officer Kevin Apple, a police officer killed in the line of duty. The city unveiled the sign designating a portion of Highway 72 as Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway. Check out nwaonline.com/211213Daily/ for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Pea Ridge Police Chief Lynn Hahn speaks, Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge. The city of Pea Ridge celebrated the life of Officer Kevin Apple, a police officer killed in the line of duty. The city unveiled the sign designating a portion of Highway 72 as Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway. Check out nwaonline.com/211213Daily/ for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Judge Barry Moehring speaks, Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge. The city of Pea Ridge celebrated the life of Officer Kevin Apple, a police officer killed in the line of duty. The city unveiled the sign designating a portion of Highway 72 as Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway. Check out nwaonline.com/211213Daily/ for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Jenny Hargrave (from left) and Shane Hargrave listen to speakers, Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge. The city of Pea Ridge celebrated the life of Officer Kevin Apple, a police officer killed in the line of duty. The city unveiled the sign designating a portion of Highway 72 as Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway. Check out nwaonline.com/211213Daily/ for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Pea Ridge Police Chief Lynn Hahn speaks, Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge. The city of Pea Ridge celebrated the life of Officer Kevin Apple, a police officer killed in the line of duty. The city unveiled the sign designating a portion of Highway 72 as Officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway. Check out nwaonline.com/211213Daily/ for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)