State Police opens "Hall of Honor" for fallen troopers

LITTLE ROCK, AR - A three-year project to honor the lives of fallen state troopers opens in Little Rock. Arkansas State Police have lost 19 troopers and now have a place to honor each of them.

It's a place families can come to reflect. The Hall of Honor for troopers killed in the line of duty opening Friday at ASP headquarters.

"Troopers and family members of troopers this is for you," governor Mike Beebe says.

Family members like Whit Klein, who lost his father trooper Robert Klein in 1984.

"A lot of emotions come to light, some sad, but a lot good," Klein says.

The hall features a bust of each of the 19 troopers who've died in the line of duty, a narrative of their work and how they lost their life.

"This is great, this means everything to all survivors," Klein says.

The space used to be a records room. The 2009 General Assembly passed legislation creating the Hall of Honor and funded it to make it happen.

“This is a great tribute to some great men and women who've made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe," Klein says.

And now a place to honor each one of them.

The General Assembly appropriated $355,000 for ASP to build the memorial.

Spokesperson Bill Sadler says the project came in under budget at approximately $320,000.