The Office of the Governor of the State of Kansas

10/18/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/18/2021 07:45

Governor Laura Kelly Honors Fallen Servicemember Through Memorial Bridge Designation

In recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of Sgt. Tyler A Juden, a Cowley County native and sniper for the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne, Governor Laura Kelly this session signed House Bill 2100, naming a bridge on U.S. 166 at Arkansas City in his honor.

The Sgt. Tyler A. Juden Memorial Bridge was dedicated today at Cowley College in Arkansas City.

"Sgt. Juden paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our nation - and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his commitment to our state and our country," Governor Kelly said. "I was honored to sign legislation designating this bridge in his memory. My thoughts are with Sgt. Juden's family and loved ones as they remember his legacy through today's dedication ceremony."

Sgt. Juden's name will be on two signs on east- and west-bound U.S. 166 approaches to the bridge. The bridge crosses the Walnut River on the east side of Arkansas City.

State Representative Bill Rhiley, Wellington, sought the legislation authorizing the signs to be installed by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Governor Kelly signed House Bill 2100 in April, 2021.

Sgt. Juden was on his second tour of duty when he was killed during an attack on his unit on Sept. 12, 2009, in Turan, Afghanistan. He was 23.

"It's in his name, but we want to make it perfectly clear: We want it to be for all veterans," said Bob Juden, Sgt. Juden's father.

Sgt. Juden grew up in a rural area northeast of Arkansas City, and graduated from Arkansas City High School. Sgt. Juden was planning to be a teacher, like his parents.

"He was a good student. He was a good citizen," Bob Juden said. "He felt like everybody should go in the service. He was fighting for you. He was fighting for me. He was fighting for our country, and he believed that."