April 26, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 14

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See Historical page 6 See Big Elk sports page 11_ |» News WEEKEND Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 EDITION Friday, April 26, 2019 Victim names released in homicides By Don Munsch Editor The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has released the names of two people who are said to be victims of homi- cide. Monique Smith, 46, was identified as the woman found dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Her body was found in the early morning hours Sunday in an Elk City apartment complex parking lot. A man found dead at a home in Sayre later has been identified as Norman Burden, 67. Gregory Killough, 49, was arrested in Tulsa on Monday after being pulled over in Burden’s vehicle and was named as aperson of interest in the case, OSBI stated on Facebook. He was named as a person ofinterest because he was last seen with Smith an hour before her death. Elk City police received a call of shots fired around 4:15 Elk City Teacher of the Year nominees were, from left, Jennifer Simon, Joyce Roberts, Robin Hargrove, Danita Cloud, a.m. in the 400 block of North State Street. When officers ar- McKenna Brooks and Sarah Pierce. Staff photo by Don Munsch. rived at the scene, they found a deceased woman lying in the parking lot. During the course of their investigation, officers discovered her vehicle was missing, according to OSBI. Teacher of the Year Around 6:30 p.m., officers from the Sayre Police Depart- ment found the female victim’s car in the 100 block of West Sadler, OSBI stated in a Facebook post. Sayre officers con- tacted the Elk City Police Department to notify them the car Banquet held Monday had been found. Elk City detectives then joined Sayre officers and together entered the house. Upon entering, they found a deceased man who appeared to be the victim ofa homicide. They also discovered his truck was missing. After finding the second victim, Sayre police contacted the OSBI to assist with the By Don Munsch background of Shockey, an Robin Hargrove, Elk City Juvenile Affairs, which gave investigation. Editor Elk City High School science Middle School her an edge and has served The two homicides are connected, OSBI officials said, and teacher, Garrison said his ac- Jennifer Simon and Joyce her well in classroom because aperson of interest was developed. A statewide “be on the Educators and their fami- colades are endless, explain- Roberts, Elk City High Schoolshe can through “rough exte- lookout” was issued for the missing truck. Officers with the lies and supporters enjoyed ing that in Shockey’s 36 years Kim Rogers, a pre-K teach-riors” and know that children Tulsa Police Department pulled over the driver of the truck ameal and some stories and ofteaching, he never sent a er at Elk City Elementary, in- can be burdened by broken after midnight, at which point they took Killough into cus- laughs at the Elk City Schools kid to the office. troduced Brooks, who teaches hearts, but her “gentle spirit” tody. Tulsa officers also found a handgun in the truck, OSBI’s Teacher of the Year Banquet “Tf you've taught for very PE. for pre-K, kindergarten helps her, Williams said. Facebook post stated. Monday at Elk City High long, usually in 36 years, and first grade students. Williams offered some OSBI agents and Elk City detectives continue to investigate School. there’s one kid that needs Rogers said Brooks’ class reflections from Pierce’s the case. Teachers nominated for to go to the office,” Garri- is “organized, fun, has clearchildren, former students and the Teacher of the Year son said. “That just kind of expectations but a lot of great colleagues. One educator said were honored at the banquet tells what kind of guy he is. energy.” Rogers said her Pierce has the “perfect com- Monday along with retirees, He would go the extra mile. students come back to her bination” of being motherly, previous teachers of the year He did say he got real close classroom and are happy to genuine and fun but she also and the 2019 Friend of Educa- to [sending to the office] a tion of the Year honoree. Randy Brooks, Roger couple of kids during those 36 yeara” share what they did in P.E. Melissa Williams, who teaches sixth grade science at stresses structure and high expectations. “Thave no doubt that each Teachers talk Brooks and Weatherly did the intermediate school but of her students know they are about jobs Shockey and Bill Weatherly were recognized as retirees of not attend the banquet. taught third grade last year, loved in her classroom,” Wil- the year. Donna McNeil was Nominees for Teacher of said one could determine liams said, reading from the honored as the 2019 Friend of the Year last year introduced from the outset that Pierce educator’s sentiments, adding Education. the six nominees for Teacher loved being around children, that one teacher said Pierce Elk City Schools Superin- of the Year at the banquet. that “she had a heart for is one of “Elk City’s very best tendent Rick Garrison lauded Nominees were: it and we could all see it.” teachers.” By Don Munsch the three retirees. McKenna Brooks and Pierce teaches second grade. Joe Joy, P-E. teacher at the Editor “They're great people, Sarah Pierce, Elk City El- She taught third grade the intermediate school, intro- great teachers,” Garrison ementary School previous three years. Danita Cloud describes what many in the teaching profes- said. Danita Cloud, Elk City Before her teaching career, sion find to be the most joyful aspect of being in the class- When discussing the Intermediate School Pierce worked in the Office of See Banquet page 2. room. “Just seeing the kids when that little light bulb comes on whenever they finally [understand something] - that little a-hamoment,” said Cloud, who teaches sixth grade math and geography at Elk City Intermediate School. Pierce is Teacher of the Year She and four other Teacher ofthe Year nominees dis- cussed how they came to the profession, with teachers saying it was honor to be nominated and enjoyed received recogni- expect that at all,” Pierce said she grew up in Clinton and tion from their peers. Tuesday about being named graduated from high school Cloud was one of six nominees for Teacher of the Year. ‘Teacher ofthe Year, adding there in 1996. She earned She was born in Cheyenne and attended school there. She that she was surprised just to abachelor’s of social work attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University and be nominated because she is degree from Southwestern received her degree in elementary education, She is married one of the newer teachers at Oklahoma State University to Brandon Cloud and has three sons: Rowdy, 25; Ty, 22; and the elementary school. in 2000. She also completed Riley, 20. Riley and wife Kristen and they just had their first This is Pierce's first year extra college hours to receive child last week: Dalton. to teach second, having her alternative certification in She is finishing up her 15th year in Elk City. Before becom- taught third grade the past elementary education. ing an educator, she worked in a doctor’s office and worked three years. She teaches all She will be married to in ahome day care. She also volunteered at her church. subjects. Randy Pierce 20 years this “{ had several people who thought I should be a teacher, “Elk City has some great August. They have three and they didn’t know that I had kind of started that path,” she teachers representingeach _ children: Katelyn, who is 16 said, noting she then finished up her education. site for Teacher of the Year,” and a sophomore at Elk City She enjoyed school when she was growing up and had a lot Elk City Schools Superin- High School; Blane, whois 12 | of teachers she looked up to. Sarah Pierce talks to her second grade class duringa tendent Rick Garrison said. and a sixth grader at Elk City “And it’s just always been a dream of mine,” she said, lesson Tuesday morning at ElkCityElementary School, “It’s very humbling to get to _—_‘Intermediate; and Kendall, an | referring to being a teacher. Pierce was honored.as Teacher ofthe YearforElkCity work with such extraordinary _8-year-old second-grader at Robin Hargrove teaches seventh and eighth grade math/ Schools Monday. Staff photo by Don Munsch. people. Beingnamed Teacher Elk City Elementary School. algebraI at Elk City Middle School. She is in her 15th year ofthe Year is an incredible “Actually, in college, my of teaching, with 14 ofthose at the middle school. She taught honor. Mrs. Pierce is very original major was elemen- one year at Butler. She grew up in Erick and received her By Don Munsch at the teachers’ annual ban- deserving of this honor. She tary education, but I had a lot associate’s degree from SWOSU-Sayre before receiving her Editor quet at Elk City High School. serves as an example ofhard __ of friends that weren't able bachelor’s degree from SWOSU in Weatherford. She has Pierce, who teaches second work, dedication and passion _to find jobs back then, sol been married to Jase Hargrove for 20 years and has three Sarah Pierce thought about grade at Elk City Elementary, in making sure her students switched my major to social children: Lexi, 16, Lane, 15; and Lake, 13. becoming teacher when she wasone of six nominees for ae Successful every day in work because I still wanted to She decided her third year in college that she wanted to be was alittle girl. the honor. McKenna Brooks her classroom.” do something to help people,” | ateacher. She points to her teachers she had growing up in She didn't become a from the elementary, Danita Before stepping into the Pierce said. Erick who served as an inspiration. And today, she praises teacher until after she had Cloud from the intermedi- classroom and in a previous After her career at Office her colleagues at the campus and appreciates their support. been in another profession for ate school, Robin Hargrove caer, she was a juvenile of Juvenile Affairs and after Hargrove said she is nota “set-and-get” kind of teacher inde than @ decade: from the middle school and _iustice specialist with the Of stayinghome for acouple of —_| _and describes her teaching style as “probably really laid Pierce found her nichein Jennifer Simon and Joyce fice of Juvenile Affairs for 11 years with her third child, she | back. I'm not really super structured. I try to do something teaching, and on Monday, she Roberts from ECHS were also Y€4S:She described the job _ decided to go back to work different all the time just to kind of make it more interesting was recognized as Elk City nominated: as sort. of,a probation officer. and discoveredthere was a Schools Teacher of the Year “{ was shocked - I did not Born in Andrews, Texas, See Plerce page 3. See Cloud page 2. il Ill Ill UI Weather ¢ 15 oO Vol. 117, No. 34 Home delivery View online « sore las 4 34 » tomorrow . 75 cents, 14 pgs. 580.225.3000 ecdailynewsonline.com