Students, staff remember crossing guard killed outside Iredell school

Published: Nov. 15, 2012 at 2:08 AM EST|Updated: Dec. 15, 2012 at 2:00 AM EST
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MOORESVILLE, NC (WBTV) - At Mount Mourne IB School, Frank Booth had one job, that was to keep children and their
parents safe.
 
Dr. Boen Nutting, Mount Mourne IB School Principal, talked to WBTV on Thursday about Frank Booth.
 
"When I would work the car rider line in the afternoon I would have parents say do you realize what a gem you have in your safety officer," Nutting said.
 
Booth died Wednesday while on the job. And though he was wearing his bright reflective vest, the driver of the car that struck the 59 year old said she just didn't see him. The principal said the students saw him, twice a day, everyday.
 
"Frank was a big man with a big smile and a big heart, and he made an impression everywhere he went," Nutting added.

That's why students and staff gathered this morning for a vigil...not with candles, but with flashlights.
 
"One thing that's central in my mind is helping our children work through a tragedy. We came together and we talked about the fact that tragedies happen and there are some things that are out of our control and we talked to the students about the fact that we work very hard to keep them safe and that they are safe here with us, but then we also took flashlights and we talked about shining our light into the world and making a difference and how just one small thing can make a difference in someone else's life, just like Frank did.

So now they'll look for a way to honor Frank Booth, something more permanent than this roadside cross...just some way to say thanks.
 
"You know what, Frank did this because he wanted to make a difference in the world and that's what we do when we work in public education, we come to work everyday and we try to make a difference in the world for young kids and that's why we come and that's why Frank came," said Nutting.

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