A final salute to Precinct 2 Investigator McKnight

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor                

Above, Scenes from the Memorial service for McKnight. Constable Paul Easterling speaks in rememberance of McKnight and his service. Photos by Nicole Smith.  

Last Monday, family, friends, fellow peace officers, firefighters and members of the community gathered to honor the life and service of Investigator Ryan McKnight. It was the kind of morning when words only go so far. Sometimes the strongest messages are found in the people who show up, the hands placed on shoulders, the quiet conversations and the uniforms standing together in respect for one of their own.

   For those who knew McKnight, the service was about more than saying goodbye. It was about remembering the man behind the badge, a friend, a colleague and a public servant who became an important part of the lives of those around him. Some had worked beside him. Others knew him simply as a familiar face in the community. Each had a reason for being there.

   There is a special bond among those who serve their communities. They work together on ordinary days and depend on one another during the difficult ones. Over time, coworkers become friends and friends become family. That sense of family could be seen throughout McKnight’s final farewell.

    People offered prayers, prepared meals, sent flowers, attended the service and reached out with kind words. Law enforcement agencies and others worked together to make sure he was honored with the respect he had earned through his service. Those simple acts said a great deal about the community he served and the people who knew him. They were reminders that a life of service leaves something behind, not only in the work that was done, but in the friendships made and the people helped along the way.

   Investigator Ryan McKnight will always have a place in the Precinct 2 family. His service will be remembered.