GREENFIELD -- A rural Greenfield couple's daughter was one of two American women killed Saturday in a shootout during their first day of orientation at a United Nations-run prison in Kosovo.
"I can confirm that Kim Bigley, age 47, was among those killed," said Mike Dickerson, director of media relations for Computer Sciences Corp., the parent company of DynCorp International, which employed Bigley.
The private company trains police, corrections and judicial officers to serve in countries such as Kosovo and Iraq.
"Our international police officers are courageous professionals who often work under dangerous conditions in service to humanity," the company's statement read.
The daughter of James and Jan Bigley, Bigley was a graduate of North Greene High School in White Hall. Along with her parents, Bigley is survived by two sons and a daughter.
"The Bigley family is, understandably, in a period of shock and mourning," family spokesman Kerry Camp said. "At this time, the family just needs their privacy.
"I can tell you that their prayers and concerns are with the other victims involved in the incident and the victims' families," Camp said.
Bigley was in a group of 21 Americans who were the first to arrive with the UN mission that was reorganizing the prison in Mitrovica, Kosovo, Camp said.
"It was their first day of orientation, and they were just leaving the facility," he said.
Bigley had worked for 19 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, rising to the rank of warden at the Shawnee Correctional Center near Vienna in 2003, said Camp, a fellow IDOC employee who worked with Bigley.
"On Saturday ... a group of DynCorp International employees serving with the United Nations as international police officers in Kosovo was attacked, without warning and for unknown reasons, allegedly by a Jordanian police officer as they left a detention center in Mitrovica, Kosovo," a news release issued by CSC stated.
Ten other Americans and an Austrian working as prison officers were wounded in the violence. The Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrahim Ali, who also was with the United Nations, was killed by return fire.
The gunbattle began as three UN vehicles carrying 21 U.S. correctional officers -- as well as two Turkish officers and the Austrian -- were leaving the prison, which was guarded by five Jordanian special police unit officers.
What sparked the shooting between officers from the police and correctional units of the UN mission remained unclear Monday.
The four other Jordanian police officers at the prison were detained by UN authorities following the shooting. They were stripped Monday of their diplomatic immunity, opening the way for them to be interrogated.
"The management and staff of Computer Sciences Corp. and its DynCorp International business unit stand united in our sadness over the deaths and injuries sustained by our employees," the company's news release stated.
"We extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen and injured officers, and will assist the employees' families to comfort and sustain them throughout this difficult time," the release said.
A representative of the firm was in Greenfield on Monday to assist Bigley's family, Camp said.
Funeral arrangements for Bigley are pending with Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall, he said.
The Associated Press contributed information for this article.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Thursday, April 22, 2004
Kim Marie Bigley PADUCAH, KY.
Kim Marie Bigley, 47, formerly of White Hall and Greenfield, died Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Visitation: 3-7 p.m. Saturday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall. Burial: Fernwood Cemetery.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Monday, April 26, 2004
WHITE HALL -- The body of a former Illinois Department of Corrections worker -- who inmates of the former Greene County Boot Camp called Mom --was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at the Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse.
"There were times she would get on their case, but it was for the love she had for those kids," said the Rev. John McCorkle, the former superintendent of the Greene County facility, of Kim Bigley. "Anyone who knew Kim knew of the love she had, not just for her family, but for everyone she knew."
Bigley, a Greene County native and graduate of North Greene High School, was shot and killed April 17 by a Jordanian United Nations officer in Kosovo. Bigley, a month shy of her 48th birthday, just completed her first day at her new job at a Kosovo prison when the Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrihim Ali, opened gunfire on a group of American officers, killing Bigley and another officer that day.
Gary Weston, with whom Bigley worked at the Shawnee Correctional Center during her tenure as warden, died early Saturday morning in St. Louis from gunshot wounds he sustained in the gunfight, which also killed Ali.
Nearly 200 people gathered Sunday afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall to honor Bigley.
Friends remembered the Greene County native as a caring, compassionate woman, who lived her life to be the best corrections officer she could and instill the proper values in her three children, Casey, Quinn and Karly Morrow.
"Kim is now gone from our lives and she will not return," longtime friend and former co-worker Kerry Camp eulogized. "But her spirit lives on in her children. Casey, Quinn and Karly, in all your future endeavors, make your mother proud."
While her life was not directly given in a wartime effort, it was nonetheless heralded as one given for her country.
"Kim was one of a rare breed," read a letter to her friends and family from U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. "Her love and dedication to her career led her to accept the risks and adventure of going to Kosovo, and in only a few short weeks, she made a difference. I am grateful to Kim's service to her country, and I admire her courage and willingness to sacrifice for her ideals."
Camp said that Bigley displayed leadership qualities from an early age, as a member of the North Greene cheerleading squad, as president of the high school student council and as the sponsor behind a petition drive while in high school to allow students to eat off campus. Bigley strove for success and found it in all she did, Camp said.
"I can confirm that Kim Bigley, age 47, was among those killed," said Mike Dickerson, director of media relations for Computer Sciences Corp., the parent company of DynCorp International, which employed Bigley.
The private company trains police, corrections and judicial officers to serve in countries such as Kosovo and Iraq.
"Our international police officers are courageous professionals who often work under dangerous conditions in service to humanity," the company's statement read.
The daughter of James and Jan Bigley, Bigley was a graduate of North Greene High School in White Hall. Along with her parents, Bigley is survived by two sons and a daughter.
"The Bigley family is, understandably, in a period of shock and mourning," family spokesman Kerry Camp said. "At this time, the family just needs their privacy.
"I can tell you that their prayers and concerns are with the other victims involved in the incident and the victims' families," Camp said.
Bigley was in a group of 21 Americans who were the first to arrive with the UN mission that was reorganizing the prison in Mitrovica, Kosovo, Camp said.
"It was their first day of orientation, and they were just leaving the facility," he said.
Bigley had worked for 19 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, rising to the rank of warden at the Shawnee Correctional Center near Vienna in 2003, said Camp, a fellow IDOC employee who worked with Bigley.
"On Saturday ... a group of DynCorp International employees serving with the United Nations as international police officers in Kosovo was attacked, without warning and for unknown reasons, allegedly by a Jordanian police officer as they left a detention center in Mitrovica, Kosovo," a news release issued by CSC stated.
Ten other Americans and an Austrian working as prison officers were wounded in the violence. The Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrahim Ali, who also was with the United Nations, was killed by return fire.
The gunbattle began as three UN vehicles carrying 21 U.S. correctional officers -- as well as two Turkish officers and the Austrian -- were leaving the prison, which was guarded by five Jordanian special police unit officers.
What sparked the shooting between officers from the police and correctional units of the UN mission remained unclear Monday.
The four other Jordanian police officers at the prison were detained by UN authorities following the shooting. They were stripped Monday of their diplomatic immunity, opening the way for them to be interrogated.
"The management and staff of Computer Sciences Corp. and its DynCorp International business unit stand united in our sadness over the deaths and injuries sustained by our employees," the company's news release stated.
"We extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen and injured officers, and will assist the employees' families to comfort and sustain them throughout this difficult time," the release said.
A representative of the firm was in Greenfield on Monday to assist Bigley's family, Camp said.
Funeral arrangements for Bigley are pending with Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall, he said.
The Associated Press contributed information for this article.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Thursday, April 22, 2004
Kim Marie Bigley PADUCAH, KY.
Kim Marie Bigley, 47, formerly of White Hall and Greenfield, died Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Visitation: 3-7 p.m. Saturday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall. Burial: Fernwood Cemetery.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Monday, April 26, 2004
WHITE HALL -- The body of a former Illinois Department of Corrections worker -- who inmates of the former Greene County Boot Camp called Mom --was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at the Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse.
"There were times she would get on their case, but it was for the love she had for those kids," said the Rev. John McCorkle, the former superintendent of the Greene County facility, of Kim Bigley. "Anyone who knew Kim knew of the love she had, not just for her family, but for everyone she knew."
Bigley, a Greene County native and graduate of North Greene High School, was shot and killed April 17 by a Jordanian United Nations officer in Kosovo. Bigley, a month shy of her 48th birthday, just completed her first day at her new job at a Kosovo prison when the Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrihim Ali, opened gunfire on a group of American officers, killing Bigley and another officer that day.
Gary Weston, with whom Bigley worked at the Shawnee Correctional Center during her tenure as warden, died early Saturday morning in St. Louis from gunshot wounds he sustained in the gunfight, which also killed Ali.
Nearly 200 people gathered Sunday afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall to honor Bigley.
Friends remembered the Greene County native as a caring, compassionate woman, who lived her life to be the best corrections officer she could and instill the proper values in her three children, Casey, Quinn and Karly Morrow.
"Kim is now gone from our lives and she will not return," longtime friend and former co-worker Kerry Camp eulogized. "But her spirit lives on in her children. Casey, Quinn and Karly, in all your future endeavors, make your mother proud."
While her life was not directly given in a wartime effort, it was nonetheless heralded as one given for her country.
"Kim was one of a rare breed," read a letter to her friends and family from U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. "Her love and dedication to her career led her to accept the risks and adventure of going to Kosovo, and in only a few short weeks, she made a difference. I am grateful to Kim's service to her country, and I admire her courage and willingness to sacrifice for her ideals."
Camp said that Bigley displayed leadership qualities from an early age, as a member of the North Greene cheerleading squad, as president of the high school student council and as the sponsor behind a petition drive while in high school to allow students to eat off campus. Bigley strove for success and found it in all she did, Camp said.
GREENFIELD -- A rural Greenfield couple's daughter was one of two American women killed Saturday in a shootout during their first day of orientation at a United Nations-run prison in Kosovo.
"I can confirm that Kim Bigley, age 47, was among those killed," said Mike Dickerson, director of media relations for Computer Sciences Corp., the parent company of DynCorp International, which employed Bigley.
The private company trains police, corrections and judicial officers to serve in countries such as Kosovo and Iraq.
"Our international police officers are courageous professionals who often work under dangerous conditions in service to humanity," the company's statement read.
The daughter of James and Jan Bigley, Bigley was a graduate of North Greene High School in White Hall. Along with her parents, Bigley is survived by two sons and a daughter.
"The Bigley family is, understandably, in a period of shock and mourning," family spokesman Kerry Camp said. "At this time, the family just needs their privacy.
"I can tell you that their prayers and concerns are with the other victims involved in the incident and the victims' families," Camp said.
Bigley was in a group of 21 Americans who were the first to arrive with the UN mission that was reorganizing the prison in Mitrovica, Kosovo, Camp said.
"It was their first day of orientation, and they were just leaving the facility," he said.
Bigley had worked for 19 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, rising to the rank of warden at the Shawnee Correctional Center near Vienna in 2003, said Camp, a fellow IDOC employee who worked with Bigley.
"On Saturday ... a group of DynCorp International employees serving with the United Nations as international police officers in Kosovo was attacked, without warning and for unknown reasons, allegedly by a Jordanian police officer as they left a detention center in Mitrovica, Kosovo," a news release issued by CSC stated.
Ten other Americans and an Austrian working as prison officers were wounded in the violence. The Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrahim Ali, who also was with the United Nations, was killed by return fire.
The gunbattle began as three UN vehicles carrying 21 U.S. correctional officers -- as well as two Turkish officers and the Austrian -- were leaving the prison, which was guarded by five Jordanian special police unit officers.
What sparked the shooting between officers from the police and correctional units of the UN mission remained unclear Monday.
The four other Jordanian police officers at the prison were detained by UN authorities following the shooting. They were stripped Monday of their diplomatic immunity, opening the way for them to be interrogated.
"The management and staff of Computer Sciences Corp. and its DynCorp International business unit stand united in our sadness over the deaths and injuries sustained by our employees," the company's news release stated.
"We extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen and injured officers, and will assist the employees' families to comfort and sustain them throughout this difficult time," the release said.
A representative of the firm was in Greenfield on Monday to assist Bigley's family, Camp said.
Funeral arrangements for Bigley are pending with Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall, he said.
The Associated Press contributed information for this article.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Thursday, April 22, 2004
Kim Marie Bigley PADUCAH, KY.
Kim Marie Bigley, 47, formerly of White Hall and Greenfield, died Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Visitation: 3-7 p.m. Saturday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall. Burial: Fernwood Cemetery.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Monday, April 26, 2004
WHITE HALL -- The body of a former Illinois Department of Corrections worker -- who inmates of the former Greene County Boot Camp called Mom --was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at the Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse.
"There were times she would get on their case, but it was for the love she had for those kids," said the Rev. John McCorkle, the former superintendent of the Greene County facility, of Kim Bigley. "Anyone who knew Kim knew of the love she had, not just for her family, but for everyone she knew."
Bigley, a Greene County native and graduate of North Greene High School, was shot and killed April 17 by a Jordanian United Nations officer in Kosovo. Bigley, a month shy of her 48th birthday, just completed her first day at her new job at a Kosovo prison when the Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrihim Ali, opened gunfire on a group of American officers, killing Bigley and another officer that day.
Gary Weston, with whom Bigley worked at the Shawnee Correctional Center during her tenure as warden, died early Saturday morning in St. Louis from gunshot wounds he sustained in the gunfight, which also killed Ali.
Nearly 200 people gathered Sunday afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall to honor Bigley.
Friends remembered the Greene County native as a caring, compassionate woman, who lived her life to be the best corrections officer she could and instill the proper values in her three children, Casey, Quinn and Karly Morrow.
"Kim is now gone from our lives and she will not return," longtime friend and former co-worker Kerry Camp eulogized. "But her spirit lives on in her children. Casey, Quinn and Karly, in all your future endeavors, make your mother proud."
While her life was not directly given in a wartime effort, it was nonetheless heralded as one given for her country.
"Kim was one of a rare breed," read a letter to her friends and family from U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. "Her love and dedication to her career led her to accept the risks and adventure of going to Kosovo, and in only a few short weeks, she made a difference. I am grateful to Kim's service to her country, and I admire her courage and willingness to sacrifice for her ideals."
Camp said that Bigley displayed leadership qualities from an early age, as a member of the North Greene cheerleading squad, as president of the high school student council and as the sponsor behind a petition drive while in high school to allow students to eat off campus. Bigley strove for success and found it in all she did, Camp said.
"I can confirm that Kim Bigley, age 47, was among those killed," said Mike Dickerson, director of media relations for Computer Sciences Corp., the parent company of DynCorp International, which employed Bigley.
The private company trains police, corrections and judicial officers to serve in countries such as Kosovo and Iraq.
"Our international police officers are courageous professionals who often work under dangerous conditions in service to humanity," the company's statement read.
The daughter of James and Jan Bigley, Bigley was a graduate of North Greene High School in White Hall. Along with her parents, Bigley is survived by two sons and a daughter.
"The Bigley family is, understandably, in a period of shock and mourning," family spokesman Kerry Camp said. "At this time, the family just needs their privacy.
"I can tell you that their prayers and concerns are with the other victims involved in the incident and the victims' families," Camp said.
Bigley was in a group of 21 Americans who were the first to arrive with the UN mission that was reorganizing the prison in Mitrovica, Kosovo, Camp said.
"It was their first day of orientation, and they were just leaving the facility," he said.
Bigley had worked for 19 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, rising to the rank of warden at the Shawnee Correctional Center near Vienna in 2003, said Camp, a fellow IDOC employee who worked with Bigley.
"On Saturday ... a group of DynCorp International employees serving with the United Nations as international police officers in Kosovo was attacked, without warning and for unknown reasons, allegedly by a Jordanian police officer as they left a detention center in Mitrovica, Kosovo," a news release issued by CSC stated.
Ten other Americans and an Austrian working as prison officers were wounded in the violence. The Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrahim Ali, who also was with the United Nations, was killed by return fire.
The gunbattle began as three UN vehicles carrying 21 U.S. correctional officers -- as well as two Turkish officers and the Austrian -- were leaving the prison, which was guarded by five Jordanian special police unit officers.
What sparked the shooting between officers from the police and correctional units of the UN mission remained unclear Monday.
The four other Jordanian police officers at the prison were detained by UN authorities following the shooting. They were stripped Monday of their diplomatic immunity, opening the way for them to be interrogated.
"The management and staff of Computer Sciences Corp. and its DynCorp International business unit stand united in our sadness over the deaths and injuries sustained by our employees," the company's news release stated.
"We extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen and injured officers, and will assist the employees' families to comfort and sustain them throughout this difficult time," the release said.
A representative of the firm was in Greenfield on Monday to assist Bigley's family, Camp said.
Funeral arrangements for Bigley are pending with Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall, he said.
The Associated Press contributed information for this article.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Thursday, April 22, 2004
Kim Marie Bigley PADUCAH, KY.
Kim Marie Bigley, 47, formerly of White Hall and Greenfield, died Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Visitation: 3-7 p.m. Saturday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in White Hall. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall. Burial: Fernwood Cemetery.
The Telegraph, Alton, IL., Monday, April 26, 2004
WHITE HALL -- The body of a former Illinois Department of Corrections worker -- who inmates of the former Greene County Boot Camp called Mom --was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at the Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse.
"There were times she would get on their case, but it was for the love she had for those kids," said the Rev. John McCorkle, the former superintendent of the Greene County facility, of Kim Bigley. "Anyone who knew Kim knew of the love she had, not just for her family, but for everyone she knew."
Bigley, a Greene County native and graduate of North Greene High School, was shot and killed April 17 by a Jordanian United Nations officer in Kosovo. Bigley, a month shy of her 48th birthday, just completed her first day at her new job at a Kosovo prison when the Jordanian officer, Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Mustafa Ibrihim Ali, opened gunfire on a group of American officers, killing Bigley and another officer that day.
Gary Weston, with whom Bigley worked at the Shawnee Correctional Center during her tenure as warden, died early Saturday morning in St. Louis from gunshot wounds he sustained in the gunfight, which also killed Ali.
Nearly 200 people gathered Sunday afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall to honor Bigley.
Friends remembered the Greene County native as a caring, compassionate woman, who lived her life to be the best corrections officer she could and instill the proper values in her three children, Casey, Quinn and Karly Morrow.
"Kim is now gone from our lives and she will not return," longtime friend and former co-worker Kerry Camp eulogized. "But her spirit lives on in her children. Casey, Quinn and Karly, in all your future endeavors, make your mother proud."
While her life was not directly given in a wartime effort, it was nonetheless heralded as one given for her country.
"Kim was one of a rare breed," read a letter to her friends and family from U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. "Her love and dedication to her career led her to accept the risks and adventure of going to Kosovo, and in only a few short weeks, she made a difference. I am grateful to Kim's service to her country, and I admire her courage and willingness to sacrifice for her ideals."
Camp said that Bigley displayed leadership qualities from an early age, as a member of the North Greene cheerleading squad, as president of the high school student council and as the sponsor behind a petition drive while in high school to allow students to eat off campus. Bigley strove for success and found it in all she did, Camp said.
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