LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed four bills that will rename portions of highways to recognize fallen military personnel and police officers killed in the line of duty.
In Southwest Michigan, House Bill 5720 will designate a portion of US-131 as the “Sergeant Ryan J. Proxmire Memorial Highway.”
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Deputy Sergeant Ryan Proxmire was killed in the line of duty on August 14, 2021, during a high-speed chase. In a statement, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller said, “The women and men of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office and the community are happy to see this memorial taking place as we are coming up on the one-year anniversary of Sergeant Proxmire’s end of watch. This will go a long way in helping the community understand the importance of the women and men serving their communities in the emergency services and remembering them for their sacrifices.”
House Bill 5720 was sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, and a copy can be found here.
Other bills designating portion of Michigan highways to fallen heroes inlcude:
Corporal DeAngelo Snow Memorial Highway – House Bill 5472 will designate a portion of I-75 as the “Corporal DeAngelo Snow Memorial Highway”. Army Specialist DeAngelo Snow served in the 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. On September 17, 2010, he died at age 22 from an insurgent attack in Afghanistan. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his bravery and service.
Sergeant Craig S. Frank Memorial Highway – House Bill 5712 will designate a portion of M-85 as the “Sergeant Craig S. Frank Memorial Highway”. Army Specialist Craig S. Frank served in the 1775th Military Police Company, Michigan Army National Guard. On July 17, 2004, he was killed in Iraq when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his car.
Officer Jessica Nagle-Wilson Memorial Highway – House Bill 6079 will designate a portion of I-75 as the “Officer Jessica Nagle-Wilson Memorial Highway”. Hazel Park Police Officer Jessica Nagle-Wilson was killed in the line of duty on July 28, 2002, when she was shot responding to an animal complaint. Officer Nagle-Wilson had served for just under two years.
