Trooper Jimmie Elliott Linegar

Trooper Linegar, i'm sorry for what happened to you that day 40 years ago, as it should've never happened, and your death was senseless and cruel, as that man had no reason to do what he did that day. The man who took your life that day wasn't just a criminal, but he was overall just pure evil, and i've been lead to believe that he was far too gone, considering that his actions that day proved that he doesn't deserve to be released, and although it's been 40 years since then and he's still rotting in his cell as we speak, it still doesn't change the fact that justice has been served, in a good way, although i think it should've been different. Personally, i think that the man who took your life should've gotten the death sentence, since Missouri has it, although we can't go back in time and change it. I think despite the negativity, i'd like to shift into the positive side of things; For one, you had nearly 10 years of law enforcement experience, maening that you spent 9 years of your life facing danger each day, knowing that each day would possess a new danger and threat, though i believe that you knew this and faced it each day with courage and bravery. It takes alot to really go out and face danger and death in the face, and to come out alive is challenging in itself, let alone with being a state trooper which in itself is dangerous like any other police job, but honestly, i know that you knew what you were doing and you made sure to come home to your family in one piece. However, it is a shame that the suspect not only murdered a trooper, he killed a father, a husband, a son, and a man who wore the badge with honor who served as a hero to his community, and his state. It's sad that your children have since had to grow up without their father, but from what i learned, your son has since carried on your legacy by joining the same department you were in, which is the Missouri State Highway Patrol, meaning that your son has picked up your legacy and carried on where you left off, since he knew that it's what you would've wanted. That fact alone goes to show that although you've been gone for that amount of time, it doesn't change the fact that your children have grown up to do great things in life, and that your son is making you proud during his time on earth and continuing your legacy. One thing i wanna touch on is the kind of person the suspect was. There's all types of people that roam this earth who are truly sick in the head and have nothing but intent to harm law enforcement, and not just that, but other people as well who are innocent and don't deserve it. Considering the suspect's background and where he came from, that means that he was most likely aware of what he was doing, though from what i think, i think he was possessed by so much wrath and hatred for others that it boiled over, and it lead him to do what he did on that April day. You would think that with him doing what he did, he would pay the consequences, but considering he tried to run from what he started, it proves that he was nothing short of a coward. Despite the fact that nothing can make us go back and fix what already happened, but we do know that the only person who can judge the suspect's fate is God himself, since he is guilty for taking away one of God's soldiers that was sent on earth to protect and serve the public, along with those in the state of Missouri, and i'd like to believe that you've done well with your career as your sacrifice alone shows not just the true dangers of serving in law enforcement, but also shows the bravery and courage you had to face evil and fight with no fear. I believe that no matter how many years it's been since you've been unrightfully taken away from those who knew you, it won't change the fact that your service will never be forgotten. To prove that, your name has been placed onto a stretch of Route 86, meaning that those who drive by and see your name, it'll only make them learn more about you and keep your name and memory alive, even to those who never had the chance to meet you, which proves that no matter what, you will always be remembered and thought of. To add more to that, your kids have gone on to carry your name, since when others learn that you were the father, they can see you shine through them, since they're responsible for keeping your memory alive and showing that if you were here, you'd be proud of them, especially since your son has since gone on to become a Missouri state trooper and finish where you stopped. It doesn't make sense, even now it doesn't, knowing that there really are some cruel and evil people in this world that have the nerve to harm and kill police. Sure there are unfortunately officers who either don't do their job or whatnot, but it doesn't ever justify harming police officers of any type. Personally, i believe that no matter what, those who have the nerve to take away a police officer's life should automatically be given the death sentence. I say that because Police Officers are meant to protect and serve, and to demonstrate what it means to go out each day, overpower evil, and to leave behind a impact that will be felt even as time goes on. Some people don't even realize it, but Police Officers have families too, and they have people who look up to them, but then again, society has gone so far as to not even acknowledge that fact alone, which is extremely dissappointing. We know and remember that despite the evil and anger that is being spread throughout the world as of now, our Police throughout the country ensure our safety and make sure that we can go home at the end of the day, and i'd like to believe that you ensured that perfectly since even in your last moments you fought until the end, which goes to show that you never gave up, and that you demonstrated what it meant to fight against evil, although i wish the outcome should've been different. But what i do know, is that although you didn't live to know if your partner who was also shot survived or not, i'd like to say that your partner has since survived the shooting that occured that day, and although he unfortunately has to live knowing what happened, it's good to know that the shooter will never see the light of day again as he's been permanently sealed away from society, as he should've been a long time ago, which i think would've prevented this tragedy from happening. Although i personally don't wish death upon the man who took your life and wounded your partner, i believe that his fate will be determined by God, as no other man can judge what happens when his time comes. As of now, may you rest in peace knowing that your sacrifice and service will never be forgotten, and that no matter how much time goes on, you will never be forgotten, as your story in general is one for the books, as people each day will remember you and keep you in mind. I believe that as long as your name is said and you are remembered, you aren't truly dead as you will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of others, and that your kids will carry on your legacy, including your son as i've said earlier, he will continue to serve and protect and do what you did as a trooper, and people will see you shine through him. Rest Easy Mr. Linegar

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

September 25, 2025