Summer D. Langford

is honored with a Medium Paver from Scott and Chris Herink and David Perkins.

I first met Summer Langford in Spanish class in the spring of 1994. She was always in her seat before I arrived, and I had to go by her to get to my seat. Summer wore a tough looking leather jacket and always kept to herself. On the last day of class I noticed she had a racquetball racquet and small talk led to a summer of racquetball.

At first our relationship was racquetball only and an occasional movie. I finally got up the courage and our relationship soon blossomed. Summer was a strong, intelligent, compassionate person, not the image she showed in Spanish class by wearing Harley Davidson t-shirts and a black leather jacket. Summer worked her way through college by working at Jim Morgan's dry cleaners. She knew this was a temporary job because Summer dreamed of becoming a Wichita Police officer.

Summer started at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center in January, 1996. Twenty weeks later, Summer graduated in the top five of her class at the Police academy and started her dream as a Police officer. She worked in west Wichita on second shift, three p.m. to eleven p.m. I was an officer working third shift, eleven p.m. to seven a.m. and was in the Army Reserve. I was called to active duty for nine months, being deployed to Europe in support of action in Bosnia. I left in July, 1996 and came back in February, 1997.

While gone halfway across the world, our relationship actually blossomed and I knew that I was in love and wanted to spend a lifetime with Summer. I moved in with Summer when I was released from active duty in the Army. I went back to working third shift and we spent little time together because of our schedules. We both had Tuesdays and Wednesdays off and always looked forward to this as it was our only time to be together at night. Summer was an excellent Police officer, being stern when need be or compassionate if needed.

On October 11th, after working her shift at patrol west, she was on her way home when she was struck by a drunk driver who ran a red light at an estimated speed of 55 mph. She was killed instantly still wearing the uniform of the Police department she was proud to tell anyone she belonged to.

The driver of the other vehicle, a student from Kenya, received 43 months in prison for his crime. Summer, a dedicated law enforcement officer, received the death penalty for her crime, driving home from her job as a Police officer. On 10-11-1997 Wichita lost a daughter, sister, friend, police officer. Summer you will be missed and I will always love you.

Submitted by Fellow officer and soulmate, David Perkins

We met Summer in the fall of 1995. She was a student dispatcher for WSU Police where we were officers. Summer was very good at her job and cared about what happened and the officer's safety. We were both surprised to learn that Summer didn't like to talk on the phone, a big part of being a dispatcher.

We were both very proud when we learned that Summer was going to be a Wichita Police officer, that's what she wanted. We were also glad to hear that when Summer got out of the academy, that she would be riding a beat which included our neighborhood. It was always a joy when Summer would stop in to have her dinner with us.

Summer was a dear friend and a unique young lady. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an unforgettable smile. When Summer was around you couldn't have a bad day, she always cheered you up. Summer touched all who knew her, and even some who didn't. Summer was like a sister, a confidant, everything a friend could be. There are things in this world we'll never look at the same again (especially opossums and people's shoes in church). This world is a much bluer place now that Summer is gone. Summer was a Police officer and proud of it, she was the police. Summer we love you and miss you, you will always be in our hearts and our memories. Keep them in line up there!

Submitted by Scott Herink and Chris Heigert Herink

August 31, 1998