TUNKHANNOCK -- It seems like almost everyone in Tunkhannock has their own story about meeting Hector, the turkey known for trotting around town.
"I just saw him walking down the bypass," said Denise Nerozzi of Wyalusing.
"Showed up here down in the lot," said Kevin Casselbury, who works in Tunkhannock.
"I was at the dentist the other day and he was outside the office, so that was pretty awesome," said Rachel Clark of Factoryville.
But it's bye-bye for the big bird after the Game Commission killed the turkey, saying it was becoming a traffic hazard.
"I mean, he was kind of causing a problem, but everyone liked him and stuff," said Brianna Grey of Tunkhannock.
Over the past few weeks, Hector became an overnight sensation, with people posting pictures of the friendly fowl causing all sorts of traffic troubles.
"She didn't seem to be bothered by cars, large trucks, their horns and everything. She even got used to the police car trying to get her off the road," said Corporal Robert Roberts with Tunkhannock Borough Police.
"It was just comical to hear about this wild turkey that would come into town," Jennifer Fassett of Tunkhannock said.
The mayor even gave Hector a Thanksgiving pardon and he was free to roam town as he pleased.
"Hector was adopted by the borough and the greater community, and there was a movement to name Hector, and I believe Hector is actually Henrietta, and there was also another movement to rescue Hector, or Henrietta, and get her to a sanctuary," Corporal Roberts said.
Even those at the Hampton Inn said they'll miss their most memorable guest.
"I looked and thought it was a bag at first, then all of a sudden, it raised its head and started tapping. So, I got close to the door to shoo him away and then he just looked at me like, 'I'm here to stay.'" said Jeff Borgeson with Hampton Inn.
Now that this turkey ruffled the wrong feather, people in Tunkhannock want to know why. Why did Hector have to die?
"Disgusted because why? Why couldn't they have just trapped him and moved him to the wild where he belongs?" Fassett asked.
"Everybody looked for him and I think everybody liked looking for him," Nerozzi said.
"It kind of brought the town together. Everyone knew Hector and now he's gone," said Clark.
Gone, but never forgotten by the people of Tunkhannock.
