Okfuskee County drowning victim's final act his best
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By Ron Jackson
Published: August 8, 2008
MASON — L.T. Piggie II's last act was his greatest.
Piggie, 51, drowned Thursday night after rescuing his 4-year-old daughter, Nateasha, from a pickup that rolled into a large pond near their Mason home in north Okfuskee County.
Piggie and his 14-year-old son, L.T. III, were bass fishing at the pond when the truck suddenly lurched forward down a steep embankment and plunged into the water. Nateasha was sitting in the truck bed at the time, sipping on a soda.
Both her father and brother instantly dove into the water — L.T. III swimming across the pond some 75 yards to reach the sinking truck.
"The baby was underwater when L.T. went down and pulled her up," Monsita Piggie told The Oklahoman Friday about her husband of 30 years. "He tossed the baby to L.T. junior and told him, 'Take her to shore! Take her to shore!' He kept swimming and swimming, but couldn't get anywhere. The truck was pulling and pulling and pulling ...
"L.T. junior grabbed his father's hand, but he just shook it away. He didn't want the boy to drown, too."
Neighbors soon arrived and began diving in the murky water in search of the elder Piggie. Oklahoma Highway Patrol divers eventually cleared the scene to begin their own search.
Divers found Piggie's body in 11 feet of water some 40 feet from the shoreline.
"I knew that's what he'd do," Monsita said of her husband's final act. "He loved those kids. He always said if anything ever happens to me, be strong and take care of our babies. But what am I gonna do now?
"My four-year-old told me, 'I know Daddy's not coming back, Mommy. But he's OK. Don't worry. I'll keep you.' They're trying to be real strong."
L.T. III even attended school Friday.
"I think the boy's a hero," said Mason superintendent John Cope, marveling at the teenager's courage. "He swam across that pond to save his little sister. He responded to a tragic situation very bravely."
Monsita sobbed at the thought of her son's actions, adding, "He's trying to be an example. He's trying to show me we have to move on."
The Piggies moved to the rural Mason community two years ago from Okemah because the elder Piggie loved the country. A construction worker who specialized in plastering, he was in the process of fixing up an old four-bedroom home as time and money allowed.
In his spare time, Piggie loved to ride motorcycles and horses, as well as hunt and fish. Mostly, he loved family.
"He was a hard-working man," Monsita said. "He never took a day off, even when he was sick. He loved to work, and he was working really hard to try and fix up the home for us. He was going to put in a fireplace so we'd be warm this winter.
Services have not yet been arranged.
The L.T. Piggie II Memorial Fund has been established at the Citizens State Bank in Okemah (918) 623-1551.
