BILL REQ. #:  H-2627.1 

Read first time 06/05/13.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     TO THE HONORABLE LYNN PETERSON, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The more than 600 uniformed members of the Washington State Patrol are our state's most ubiquitous first responders--law-enforcement professionals dedicated to the safety of Washington's citizens as we go about our daily lives; and
     WHEREAS, These Troopers routinely place themselves in difficult and dangerous situations to protect the lives and property of individual citizens and the good working order of our communities and the state as a whole; and
     WHEREAS, This selflessness was clearly evident in the aftermath of the sudden and catastrophic collapse of a portion of the Skagit River Bridge on Interstate 5 the evening of Thursday, May 23, 2013; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper No. 1076, Sean M. O'Connell, a 14-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol, was among those who immediately responded, ensured the safety of motorists, secured the accident scene, and helped achieve the smooth flow of traffic on alternate north-south routes across the river; and
     WHEREAS, Barely a week after the collapse of the Skagit River Bridge, Trooper O'Connell was killed in the line of duty while directing rerouted traffic around the fallen bridge on the afternoon of Friday, May 31, 2013; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper O'Connell, a former Washington State Trooper of the Year and the 28th Washington State Trooper to die in the line of duty, was taken too soon from his wife and two young children; and
     WHEREAS, The Legislature grieves for Trooper O'Connell and for his family, friends, and colleagues. The Legislature wants his name and honor to endure for future generations of Washingtonians and to serve as a daily reminder of the sacrifices undertaken willingly by Trooper O'Connell and others like him;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge the Trooper No. 1076, Sean M. O'Connell Memorial Bridge to honor the service and sacrifice of this dedicated peace officer and public servant.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the family of Washington State Trooper No. 1076, Sean M. O'Connell.