Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Pea Ridge officer mourned, remembered

- ANNETTE BEARD

PEA RIDGE — A 23-year law enforcemen­t veteran, Kevin D. Apple, who served Pea Ridge for the past three years, is being honored by city residents, law enforcemen­t peers, emergency personnel and people across the state.

Apple was killed Saturday while on duty in Pea Ridge.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered the U.S. flag and state flag of Arkansas to fly at halfstaff in tribute to the memory of Apple. Flags are to remain at half-staff until Saturday.

“Officer Apple’s bravery and actions will be inspiratio­n for all Arkansans and is worthy of our remembranc­e,” the governor’s statement said.

Hutchinson released the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple. My prayers are with Officer Apple’s family and the entire Pea Ridge community during this time.”

The residents of this small town are still reeling, and many have organized various events and memorials to show their support.

The annual Freedom Fest celebratio­n planned for Sunday evening was canceled as was the summer parade scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

There has not been an officer killed in the line of duty in the history of the Pea Ridge Police Department.

The Pea Ridge Police Department was establishe­d in 1977. The city’s history dates from the establishm­ent of a post office in 1850. For many years, the city had a solitary city marshal.

“I want to thank our community for their support,” said Police Chief Lynn Hahn, an 18-year law enforcemen­t veteran. “Going to the candleligh­t vigil the other night, I honestly was not surprised — I was pleased. We have the greatest community in the world.

“I ask for continued prayers for Officer Apple’s family and people in law enforcemen­t who are grieving… we really are one big family,” he said.

He said peer support is incredible with officers from other agencies paying respect as well as assisting in duties.

“As law enforcemen­t profession­als, we’re trained to do that … that’s what we have to do,” Hahn said. “I can’t say for one moment I haven’t shed tears and had my moments … but I try to stay strong for the team and for the community and to go through this and get it done.

“There have been lots of tears, lots of hugs, and lots of crying between us and with our families, but we’re still trying to be brave for our community,” Hahn said. “I’m still trying to be strong for my people, too.

“The police department is not closed. We’re still taking care of our city, we’re just utilizing outside sources to do that,” he said, explaining that the Pea Ridge officers are taking time off for now and deputies from the Benton County Sheriff ’s Office are taking Pea Ridge calls. Hahn said the command staff will be taking care of business. He said they gain strength from being together.

Hahn said teams from both Washington and Fayettevil­le who have experience­d loss were onsite within the hour and are still ministerin­g to his team.

“I’d like to give a shout out to Sheriff Holloway,” Hahn said. “His department has really stepped up and helped us in so many ways, and the state police — they have really done a lot to help.”

Mayor Jackie Crabtree commended the support being given by the community to the police force.

“The outpouring of support … is overwhelmi­ng,” Crabtree said. “This is what our officers and our community are going to need to get through all of this. From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate it.”

Apple earned his Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcemen­t Standards and Training (Part-time II) certificat­ion in 1995. He earned his basic police training certificat­ion in 1997, a drug raid tactics course certificat­ion in 1999 and certificat­e on law enforcemen­t standards and training in 1999. Apple was certified in three levels of S.W.A.T. high risk event planning and operationa­l skills.

His profession­al profile, according to his resume, includes sheriff patrol deputy, tactical drug unit team member, police officer, special police entry, response team member, certified sniper, certified field training officer, certified K9 officer, marine patrol deputy and a reserve deputy sheriff.

Apple was employed parttime with Farmington Police Department from 2014 until hired at Pea Ridge and worked full-time at Farmington 2013 to January of 2014. He was a part-time patrolman with Bethel Heights from November 2009 to February 2012 and worked full-time as K9 for Lowell Police Department from December 2003 to July 2009.

“The outpouring of support … is overwhelmi­ng. This is what our officers and our community are going to need to get through all of this.”

— Jackie Crabtree, Pea Ridge mayor

 ?? (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard) ?? Community members lay flowers, artwork and pinwheels on and around the Pea Ridge Police patrol vehicle assigned to Officer Kevin Apple, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard) Community members lay flowers, artwork and pinwheels on and around the Pea Ridge Police patrol vehicle assigned to Officer Kevin Apple, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday.
 ??  ?? Bob Bollman of Bella Vista, holding a flag, joined the many honoring Apple on Sunday morning.
Bob Bollman of Bella Vista, holding a flag, joined the many honoring Apple on Sunday morning.
 ??  ?? Pea Ridge police were among the first in a long line of flashing blue lights Sunday morning escorting their fallen comrade’s body to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock.
Pea Ridge police were among the first in a long line of flashing blue lights Sunday morning escorting their fallen comrade’s body to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock.
 ??  ?? Firefighte­rs and other emergency personnel parked fire trucks, raised ladders and flew flags as they stood at attention on overpasses early Sunday morning honoring Apple.
Firefighte­rs and other emergency personnel parked fire trucks, raised ladders and flew flags as they stood at attention on overpasses early Sunday morning honoring Apple.
 ??  ?? Officers line the highway Sunday morning as Apple’s body was transporte­d to Little Rock.
Officers line the highway Sunday morning as Apple’s body was transporte­d to Little Rock.

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