GLASGOW, Ky. — Jamie Anderson remembers when his brother would come home from police training and treat him like a willing test subject for new techniques, a family story that drew a few smiles Wednesday as the community gathered to honor two longtime local figures.

The names Rusty Anderson and Ruel Houchens still echo through Barren County and beyond years after both men’s deaths, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the community they helped shape.

Anderson, a former detective with the Barren County Sheriff's Office, and Houchens, a Barren County native whose work helped build one of South Central Kentucky’s most recognizable business names, were honored posthumously with bridges named in their honor.

“It’s always good giving back to people that have done a lot in our community,” said Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd.

Each budget year, legislators are given the opportunity to recognize individuals and designate bridges and roads in their honor.

State Rep. Steve Riley had previously advocated for Anderson and Houchens, but the effort did not come together until earlier this spring.

Ruel Houchens, who died in 2010 at age 81, spent more than four decades helping grow Houchens Markets and Houchens Industries under the guidance of his uncle, company founder Ervin Houchens.

After returning to Glasgow as a Korean War veteran, he began working in the family business and eventually helped expand it into more than 50 grocery stores and 150 Save-A-Lot locations.

He later served as president and chairman of Houchens Industries and played a key role in the creation of the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County.

“The Houchens name is a magic name in not only Barren County but southcentral Kentucky,” Riley said. “Ruel did so many things known and unknown for people.”

Riley, a longtime educator and former principal at Barren County High School, once taught Anderson and remembered him as a standout student with a mature personality at just 15 years old.

“When you work in education a lot, there’s just some people, you say, they’re goign to be successful in whatever they do,” Riley said. “I’ve always felt that way about Rusty and his loss was very devastating.”

Byrd said the signage honoring Anderson initially listed him as a deputy rather than a detective, and officials worked to correct it ahead of Wednesday’s ceremony.

“He worked really hard for that status and that title,” Byrd said.

A sign bearing the wording “Detective Rusty Anderson Memorial Bridge” will be installed along Highway 63 at the bridge over Falling Timber Creek, while the bridge over Barren River Lake near the site of the original family store will be named in honor of Houchens.

Byrd said Riley called her in March and asked her to gather two letters of recommendation for each sign. The task was completed in about 30 minutes, with the remainder handled at the state level.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is expected to install the signage at both locations Thursday.