PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. — It has been nearly one year since a school security guard with the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) died after he was fatally hit by a vehicle while directing traffic on the first day of school.
While Victor Montgomery didn't carry a backpack or pencil, he was always prepared for the first day by wearing a smile from ear to ear.
He was a familiar face that was ready to welcome students each and every morning.
"He would have been so excited to see them, it would have been as if it was big Victor going to school for the first day," said his daughter, Angela Montgomery.
Later this month, PCSSD students will return to the classroom, but things will look a little different at Joe T. Robinson where Victor worked as a security guard.
Wednesday, August 14th marks the one-year anniversary since the 62-year-old was tragically hit and killed by a car while he was at work.
"We think where I'm going is so important that I'll take a chance. and unfortunately, what he was out there doing was to keep someone from hitting one of those children and killing them every day," said his niece, Kenesha Scott. "Unfortunately, this time, it was our uncle. It was her husband, it was her dad."
After about five months of searching for answers, Victor's family finally received some closure when Arkansas State Police arrested 55-year-old Desmond Nkala in January.
Despite the development in the case, Victor's daughter explained how it all still doesn't feel real.
"You're not really at peace or at ease because you're anticipating what's to come. For us, it feels like he's still at a late game, so we're just waiting for him to come home. In actuality, he's never coming home," Angela described.
Victor as a security guard for PCSSD for about seven years and was killed while on the job.
His niece said it brings her comfort knowing that he died doing what he loved— protecting and serving students.
"He stayed there with those kids, and it's such a testimony to the life he lived. He was well respected in the security world and very high ranking," she added.
Now, the family continues to focus on what Victor left behind. Something that his wife Alice said is priceless— is his loving soul that she'll never forget.
"We did everything together. He was like, 'you my best friend, I'm your best friend' and I mean, it was just a love story that ended too soon," she described.
Throughout their grief, Angela said that her dad still finds ways to show up at times when she needs it most.
"No matter where we go, we run into someone who has been touched by Victor, that knew "Paw Paw" firsthand. It's just amazing how God will align people in your life and your path to let you know that Victor is okay," she described.
It's that idea that inspired Alice to get out into the community that her husband loved and make a difference.
"I started a business called PawPaw Poundcakes, and I made pound cakes. I'm proud to say [that] for 2024 I gave away $2,600.00 and four scholarships. So, I will continue next year," she added.
They say the loss hurts a little more this time of year as students head back to school.
Both students and family are left without a smile from their loving "Paw Paw" but his family explained how his legacy continues to live on through the lives that he touched.
"Just remember that love that he poured into you and pass it on because if you allow the hate and the pain to consume you, it's a dark world already, so we need a light. Paw Paw was a light for so many, so take that torch and pass it on to the next one," Angela said.