PEA RIDGE, Ark. — It's been nearly three years since Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple was killed in the line of duty.
Every year since that day, the community has come together to honor and celebrate his life, and this year is no different, as a candlelight vigil was held this week to commemorate the tragic incident.
Spanish version: Para español haga clic aqui.
The vigil took place at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, near the old White Oak Station in Pea Ridge.
"Kevin Apple was a funny guy. He always had jokes," said Pea Ridge Mayor Nathan See. "He was really one that wanted to help everybody. It didn't matter what you may have done. He had the heart to help."
As the community gathered Wednesday night, Police Chief Lynn Hahn said the day doesn't get much easier.
"When this day comes around, the officers of the PD that were here at the time, you can tell that they're feeling it because we miss Kevin's presence, and we have constant reminders of his absence," Hahn said. "As long as I'm here, I'm gonna do everything I can to keep that memory alive."
See said he feels honored to help carry out Officer Apple's legacy in the city.
"We have a lot of new people moving in Northwest Arkansas, and a lot of people don't know why we have officer Kevin Apple Memorial Highway," See said. "And so, we get to tell the story to them."
On June 26, 2021, officer Kevin Apple was hit and killed by a car near the White Oak Gas Station in Pea Ridge. He spotted a car that had fled from a nearby town and when he tried to stop the driver, Shawna Cash, she accelerated and hit Apple.
Pea Ridge Police Lieutenant John Langham says that in the days since, the department spends time remembering Apple for his sense of humor and a desire to put a smile on people's faces.
"He lived every day for that, even sometimes when he didn't act like it, that was what brightened his day. Was making other people laugh and smile," Langham said.
The lieutenant says that this year's vigil had a different feel to it, as Apple's killer was sentenced just months prior.
In February, Cash was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. She is currently being held in a state prison near Newport, Arkansas.
Elijah Andazola, who was in the passenger seat of that car, was originally charged with accomplice to capital murder.
However, back in March, that charge was dropped, and he pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension, accomplice to breaking and entering, and possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.
Andazola was released to his family after the state recommended 15 years of supervised probation. He was sent to a drug rehabilitation facility for 18 months.
"We have a little bit more to think about in this incident, since his killer was actually convicted of the crime," Langham said. "So for us, I guess you would say there's some closure in this. I hate to say closure, because it's never going to be truly closed for us."
The vigil was open to everyone, and Langham hoped as many people as possible would come to the event.
"I think that we are looking to provide the community with that opportunity to reflect with us, to join us in our thoughts about Kevin and about his life and about the service that he gave to our community. And it wasn't just Pea Ridge that he served. He served several other agencies as well. So we anticipate seeing some folks from various communities coming in to remember him," Langham explained.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.