Senator Saland’s Legislation Honoring Fallen Troopers Passes Senate

Bill creates a State Trooper Highway Memorial Task Force

Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C Poughkeepsie) today announced Senate passage of his bill, S.698, which creates a State Trooper Highway Memorial Task Force to provide for the recognition of members of the Division of State Police who have died in the line of duty.

The Task Force would establish guidelines for how state troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty should be memorialized. The Commissioner of Transportation would then be responsible for the installation and maintenance of memorial signs. The memorial designation would not alter the official name of the highway.

Senator Saland stated, “The State Trooper Highway Memorial Task Force would have the honor of determining how fallen officers should be memorialized on New York’s roads so that as New Yorkers travel the State they will be reminded of the sacrifice these heroes have made.”

Senator Saland has had a long history of authoring legislation which recognizes the contributions made by the New York State Police and provides a lasting tribute to those who have fallen. In 2004, Steve Saland sponsored bill S.6654, which named bridges along the Taconic State Parkway in tribute to two state troopers who lost their lives in the line of duty. A bridge in the Town of East Fishkill was designated as the Trooper Brian N. Rovnak Memorial Bridge and a bridge in the Town of Stanford was named the Trooper Robert G. Dunning Bridge.

“I am pleased that this legislation honoring our New York State Troopers has passed the Senate,” stated Senator Saland. “We are grateful for their service. This is a small way we may show our appreciation.”

The bill has been sent to the Assembly for consideration.

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