Committee unanimously approves Sen. Diamond bill to honor fallen state troopers

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, a bill from Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, to honor fallen Maine State Troopers by dedicating one mile of Maine’s secondary roadways to each trooper was passed by the Legislature’s Transportation Committee. An amended version of LD 537, “An Act To Dedicate Sections of Maine’s Interstate Highway System to Fallen State Troopers,” received a unanimous, bipartisan vote of support, with four members absent.

“I’m so grateful to the committee, to the Maine Turnpike Authority, to the Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, and everyone who came together to make this bill work,” said Sen. Diamond. “In the 100 years that the Maine State Police have served the people of this state, we have tragically lost 12 troopers in the line of duty. Recognizing their service in a place where Mainers, visitors and anyone travelling our roadways can pay their respects truly honors their sacrifice.”

As amended, LD 537 will dedicate one mile of one of Maine’s secondary roadways to each of the 12 Maine State Troopers who have died in the line of duty, and to each trooper who dies in the line of duty moving forward. Dedicated roadways will be marked with a memorial sign. A previous version of the bill would have dedicated one mile stretches of Interstate 95. The bill was amended to be consistent with federal regulations for signage on interstates.

LD 537 now faces votes in the Senate and the House.