RUSSELLVILLE, AR – One of the men shot and killed in Chattanooga, Tenn. was a native of central Arkansas. U.S. Marine Staff Sargent David Wyatt was from Russellville.
He graduated from Russellville High School in 1998. The school said he was a good student and a member of the band.
Many in the community said Sgt. Wyatt was a good kid who turned into a great man. Especially a man who knew him well, his Boy Scout leader.
“If we had a country full of men like him we would have no problems,” Wyatt’s Boy Scout leader Leslie Teaff said.
Teaff shared memories of his dear friend, “David had no anger in his heart for anything he had a happy heart.”
“It’s such a tragedy that he went overseas for multiple deployments and was in harms way and came away unscathed,” Teaff said.
Teaff was his Boy Scout leader for years, watching him grow into a good man.
“He always came to see me when he was in town,” Teaff said.
He remembers Wyatt as a teenager and one of his favorite memories was when they went on a scout trip to New Mexico in 1994.
Wyatt’s mother called Teaff early Friday morning to tell him the new of the Marine’s death.
“Terrorism came and visited me last night and it took a dear friend,” Teaff said.
He said Wyatt was a family man, who loved serving his county. Most of all, he will be missed.
“He was such a good person. He had a goodness,” Teaff said.
The Wyatt family was in Chattanooga Friday night.
Both Russellville High School and the City of Russellville sent statements saying they are deeply sadden by the news and condolences go out to the family.