On a crisp November morning in Louisville, relatives and friends assembled near the Givaudan fragrance plant on Payne Street to unveil a permanent street sign bearing the names of three men who died in separate explosions at the facility. The ceremony marked the anniversary of the most recent tragedy, a blast on Nov. 12, 2024, that claimed the lives of Kevens Leemar Dawson and Austin Jaggers, and also remembered Louis Perry, who was killed in an earlier explosion on April 11, 2003.
Remembering Kevens Leemar Dawson and Austin Jaggers
Zhaneice Dawson, daughter of Kevens Leemar Dawson, spoke through tears about the hours after the 2024 explosion when rescue crews searched for her father. “My dad was left out there. They searched for hours,” she said. She noted that the anniversary falls close to her father’s birthday and the holiday season, making the remembrance especially poignant. Yet she emphasized her father’s desire for his family to stay strong. “I know he wouldn’t want my family to be sad,” Dawson said. “I know he would want us to continue to grow and be there and support one another and show up for each other.”
Jaggers’ relatives also shared heartfelt memories, recalling his bright smile, playful jokes, and devotion as a father. “We miss him every day,” a family member said. “Along with his big smile, his goofy jokes and watching him be an incredible dad.”
Honoring Louis Perry’s legacy
For the family of Louis Perry, who perished in the 2003 explosion, the new sign offers a tangible reminder that his sacrifice has not been forgotten. “Sometimes, I think people forgot that he passed, so I’m so happy for his name to be here present today,” said Lorie Hibbard, a close family member. The inclusion of Perry’s name alongside Dawson and Jaggers underscores the lasting impact each man had on their community.
A symbol of shared loss and resilience
The three names now displayed together on the newly installed sign serve as a visual testament to the collective grief and resilience of Louisville’s working families. “The sign shows the impact that these men have had,” Zhaneice Dawson reflected, noting that the memorial not only honors the deceased but also reinforces the importance of supporting one another in times of tragedy.
City officials, who helped facilitate the installation, expressed their condolences and praised the families for their strength. They highlighted the importance of remembering the contributions of industrial workers who keep Louisville’s economy moving forward, while also emphasizing the need for continued safety measures at industrial sites.
Looking forward
As the community gathers around the sign, many hope that the remembrance will inspire both personal and corporate commitment to workplace safety and family support. The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence, followed by a modest reception where families shared stories, laughter, and a renewed sense of unity.
While the tragedies that claimed the lives of Dawson, Jaggers, and Perry cannot be undone, the street sign stands as a lasting tribute to their memory and a reminder that the bonds of family, faith, and community endure.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
