Soldier from Missouri Bootheel Killed in Black Hawk Crash

Rickey Bell was a senior from the Caruthersville High School class of 2005. I recently learned of Ricky's death from my sister, Mary Stutzman, who resides in Caruthersville. I was told how the town is in shock of losing one of its own. I too am in shock.....Ricky will be missed.

I remember the day I photographed his senior portraits. Seems almost like it was yesterday. The day was not one of the more photogenic days, but it all worked out GREAT. Rickey, you see, was an optimist.......always had a smile on his face. AND his portraits I thought turned out GREAT.

Photographing now for 25 years, I have seen a lot of tragedy and loss. Seems that Caruthersville has had way more than its share of tragedy these past few years. Suicides, tornadoes, loss of jobs and now the loss of a fine young man.....a hero.

Thank you Rickey for serving your country with honor. Thank you Rickey for protecting my rights and our way of life. I know that Caruthesville is grieving now, but I can't help but think that Caruthersville is such a better place because of people like Rickey Bell. Flags fly at half staff as a Caruthersville comes together to mourn the loss of their hero Specialist Rickey Bell.

Army Spc. Rickey L. Bell, 21, of Caruthersville, Mo.; assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.; died Aug. 22 in Multaka, Iraq, of injuries suffered when his helicopter crashed.

Specialist E-4 Rickey Bell was a gunner on the Black Hawk that the military says went down because of mechanical problems and not hostile fire.

The Pentagon says the Black Hawk helicopter was one of two taking part in a night-time operation. The crash is the worst single-day death toll in Iraq since January and the worst helicopter crash for Americans in the last two years.

To Janice, 'Big Rickey" & Nikki..........know that Joy, Philip & I will miss Rickey and that we are praying that you will come to terms with his sacrifice and know that God has accepted him into His Kingdom telling him, well done faithful servant!