Gov. Meets with Officers, Family Members of Those Involved in Firefight

By Rep. Rick West

Gov. Kevin Stitt came to Poteau last week to deliver citations to several law enforcement officers who were involved in an ambush attack in Wister back in April. Many of their family members also attended the private ceremony, getting to meet one-on-one with the governor.

Killed in the firefight on April 19 was Deputy Sheriff Thomas “Walker” LeMay. His family was among those presented with a citation from the governor.

Also recognized were Wister Police Chief William “Andy” Thompson, who was wounded in the gunfire that day, along with LeFlore County Sheriff Rodney Derryberry, Lt. Paul Moss, Deputies Cynthia Hicks, Cody Key, Megan Graham, Barry Riggs and Dustin McKinney and U.S. Forestry Agent James Necessary, who all responded to the incident.

It was the desire of the governor and the families for this to be a private ceremony, giving the governor time to meet personally with the 70 or so people in attendance. He took time to listen to their stories and hug them, taking pictures with those who wanted to preserve the moment. I know it meant a lot to have this personal time with the governor outside of the normal fanfare that accompanies him everywhere he goes.

I’m glad too that Gov. Stitt took this opportunity to thank these men and women for the bravery and courage they display every day while performing their duties of keeping the public safe. I trust it meant a lot to the LeMay family to have their loved one remembered in this way.

A bridge in LeFlore County will be named after LeMay. The bridge is on U.S. Highway 59 crossing over the Poteau River north of Heavener. I anticipate it will be about November before the Department of Transportation can get signs made and a ceremony can be held to dedicate the bridge in LeMay’s memory. The governor said he would plan to come back to our area for this ceremony.

I wish to extend thanks to Poteau Mayor Scotty White, Choctaw Tribal Councilman Jess Henry, LeFlore County DA Kevin Merritt and Gail Hudson, who works as the victim witness coordinator in the DA’s office, all of whom attended, and to Karen Wages, the CEO of the Poteau Chamber of Commerce, as she and her staff set up the center and had it looking very nice for this event.

This was a really kind gesture on the governor’s part and just a touching ceremony overall. I’m glad it went so well.

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

 

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