VAN WERT, Ohio (WLIO) — The state of Ohio honored a trooper who died in the line of duty in Auglaize County 55 years ago.
Lieutenant James Kirkendall died in a crash on U.S. 33 on Oct. 28, 1970. At the time of his death, he was the Van Wert post commander. Members of his family, Gov. Mike DeWine, and Colonel Charles Jones were on hand to unveil a sign that will be installed on U.S. 33 in eastern Auglaize County, renaming the highway in honor of Kirkendall for his more than 20 years of service with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and dedication to the motoring public.
“Well, I think of all the members the Highway Patrol, they do so such an amazing job. They're out there every single day. They're help. They're helping people. They're saving lives. You know, they take a drunk driver off the road that very well could be saving a life. So we owe them so much, so very, very much. And I think it was a really appropriate, wonderful ceremony today,” DeWine said.
State Reps. Roy Klopfenstein and Angie King introduced the legislation to create the memorial highway. Kirkendall’s family said the recognition has taken time and hope the signs serve as a reminder to others about the risks troopers face on Ohio roads.
“There are probably not that many people that live down in that area that were there then, and they may not know who James Kuykendall was, but again, if it makes them think that they need to pay attention, and people are out there doing a dangerous job for them, and hopefully we don't have to do many more of these signs,” said Michael Kirkendall, son of Lt. James Kirkendall.
Kirkendall was also a World War II veteran and served at approximately seven different highway patrol posts across Ohio during his more than 20-year career.
