Oklahoma bridge dedicated to slain trooper

40 years after his death, the last of three troopers killed during a shootout now has a bridge dedicated in his memory. Trooper Houston F. "Pappy" Summers was killed in a shootout with two prison escapees outside Kenefic, Oklahoma back in 1978. It's known as the darkest day in the history of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol because two other troopers died that day as well, 2nd Lieutenant James Pat Grimes and Trooper Billy Young. Both Grimes and Young have had bridges dedicated to them and retired Trooper Bill Smith wanted to make sure Summers was remembered as well. He worked with State Representative John Enns to get the bill passed dedicating this bridge to Summers. It is located on US-412 in Garfield County, half a mile west of County Road 2820. A bridge dedication ceremony was held on Friday. OHP gave special thanks to Troopers Summers nephew, Blair Summers, for attending the event as well as numerous troopers from Troop J in Enid.