Beloved Fort Thomas crossing guard Judy Kiskaden is being honored by the city for her 40 years of outstanding public service. Kiskaden famously directs traffic at the intersection of Fort Thomas Avenue and Highland Avenue.
On Tuesday, City Administrative Officer Ron Dill presented Kiskaden with the keys to her new Subuaru as a gesture of appreciation for her career serving the community.
Dill describes how much Kiskaden truly means to the City of Fort Thomas.
“Judy’s unwavering presence in the center of the city is comforting and is a testament to her dedication to serving the community,” Dill said. “Each year when we review who might serve in these important roles for our children and other pedestrians, Judy is already penciled in… She never falters in her commitment and that is a trait we all admire. She answers the call every year and we are grateful for her being there for all of us.”
Fort Thomas administrators and public servants thought it would be a kind gesture to surprise Kiskaden at the Fort Thomas Fire Department. Community members gathered at the firehouse to celebrate her years of public service.
Fort Thomas Police Chief Casey Kilgore picked Kiskaden up and drove her to the firehouse. Besides gifting Kiskaden a car, members of the Fort Thomas Police and Fire Departments presented Kiskaden with various gift cards.
“Judy represents all that is good in a small community like Fort Thomas,” Dill said. “In a community with no public transportation alternatives, our parents often trust the safety of their children to the community and expect that safeguards are in place; from the school district, city safety departments and all the way to the crossing guards. Judy has literally stood post in the center of our city over these decades and ensured that literally generations of kids navigating to or from school are always protected. That is a security that cannot be fully measured, only appreciated.”