Wyoming Lawmaker Walks 3 Miles On Crutches To Get Seat At Charlie Kirk Funeral

When traffic bottlenecked nearly three miles away from the stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the world’s most powerful people and some of the world’s biggest Christian music stars were set to memorialize Charlie Kirk, Wyoming state Rep. Scott Smith decided to hoof it.

On crutches. Through huge throngs of people. As the day’s temperature crept from 85 degrees at 5:30 a.m. to a high of 103 degrees.

Smith and his wife Charissa had driven to Denver from their hometown of Lingle right after work Friday. They then flew to Arizona early Saturday and set out for Kirk’s funeral hours before sunrise Sunday, Smith told Cowboy State Daily in a Monday interview.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. His death has become a flashpoint, emphasizing differences between the political right and left; sparking church revivals and mobilizing conservatives.

Kirk’s funeral drew one of the largest public turnouts for a private citizen. Fox News reported that 90,000 people attended the service: 70,000 filling the stadium to capacity, 10,000 gathering at the nearby Desert Diamond Arena, and another 10,000 watching from nearby viewing areas.

The figures hearken to the April 9, 1968, funeral of assassinated faith leader and social activist Martin Luther King Jr.

One-hundred-thousand mourners joined a solemn procession on the way to his funeral. Around 1,300 mourners crammed into a church, tens of thousands of others listened to the service over outdoor loudspeakers – and millions watched on TV.

The Long Hard Road

By 5 a.m. Sunday, all roads leading to the State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals football team, were gridlocked, Smith said.

The parking lots nearest the stadium were off-limits; security was stringent – as President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance were in attendance, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The handicap parking lot was completely full, said Smith.  

Smith and his wife decided to park near where they got stuck in traffic, around 2.5 miles away.

It was a significant decision for Smith, who uses crutches full-time due to a physical disability in one leg. He pressed on through the human current on narrow sidewalks, over gravel – sometimes diverting onto lesser traveled side roads.

“A ton of trash” teemed on those sidewalks, and Smith battled the worry that he’d slip and fall.

He and his wife made it to the line within 40 minutes.

“I don’t know what top speed is (on the crutches),” said Smith with a laugh. “I was just – slow and steady wins the race.”

No objects were allowed in the stadium but keys, cellphone, and a sealed bottle of water. Smith’s water was gone by the time he made it to the line anyway.

There were so many obstacles that, to Smith, seemed to be telling the pair, “Turn around.”

“And walking as far as I did was painful,” he recalled.

But according to Smith, God led him on through the pain.

“I just felt inspired by the Lord that, ‘Hey, it’s a moment in history, and you should be a part of it – in honor of a man that deserved being honored,’” he said. “The number one takeaway (from that funeral) is the most important thing in life is your walk with Christ.”

Portions of the funeral unfolded like a church service.

The New York Times cast it as “a clear indication of the melding of religion and politics under Mr. Trump’s administration.”

Contemporary Christian singer Brandon Lake led the crowd in praise music, including his top song “Gratitude.”

Phil Wickham delivered a passionate rendition of his praise song “Battle Belongs” – which was also once featured at a massive Wyoming funeral for a slain Sheridan police sergeant.

When it came to eulogies, the people “closest to Charlie” were the best speakers, said Smith, who called the experience inspiring and proof that it’s time for a “reformation," which he characterized as shunning evil and promoting biblical good.

Smith and his wife had to leave the daylong funeral a little early – after about 90% of it had elapsed.

They missed the in-person hearing of keynote speeches by Trump and Kirk’s wife Erika Kirk.

But they kept watching anyway, via a live feed on a phone as they forged the now less-hazardous path back to their rental car, and as they returned it to the rental shop.

Trump elicited laughter by confessing that he hates his enemies – a sentiment contrary to the teachings of Jesus, in whom Charlie Kirk publicly professed his faith.

“(Kirk) did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie,” said Trump. “I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them.”

Perhaps Erika Kirk could talk to him about that, added Trump.

“I’m sorry, I am sorry Erika,” said the president.

Erika Kirk made headlines with her speech – as she announced she’s forgiven her husband’s alleged assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.

“That man. That young man,” she began. Then, dissolving in tears, she added, “I forgive him” as applause crescendoed.

Smith and his wife began their journey back to Wyoming, arriving in Lingle at 2:30 a.m. Monday, he said.

They were both at work by 8 a.m., he added.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.