Seek to Speed Road Signs Honoring Fallen Troopers

A TANGIBLE MEMORIAL: Road signs like this one on the Taconic State Parkway naming an overpass for a State Trooper killed on the job would become more frequent if a bill pushed by retired Trooper Jim Sweeney becomes law.

A former State Trooper is pushing for a bill that would create a task force to approve road signs to honor Troopers killed in the line of duty.

The bill, which has been introduced in both houses of the Legislature, seeks to honor fallen State Troopers with signs next to the highway in much the same manner as is done by many municipalities elsewhere. Jim Sweeney, who started the project, said the task force would be a good alternative to the current piecemeal approval of State Trooper memorials.

Would Streamline Process

In the last few years, the Legislature named two bridges on the Taconic State Parkway after Troopers Robert Dunning and Brian Rovnak at Mr. Sweeney's urging. Each one had to go through the arduous task of being approved in committee before going to the full Assembly and State Senate. The bill would streamline the process by allowing a task force to grant approvals. "The counties, the towns do it; New York City does it; I don't know why the state doesn't do it," said Mr. Sweeney.

He got the idea after attending a street renaming in the city for a fallen NYPD cop, then enlisted the support of State Sen. Stephen M. Saland, who represents Dutchess and Columbia counties and introduced the bill. "We passed it last year, but it didn't move in the Senate," Mr. Saland said. "I'm not quite sure why there would be any opposition."

Earlier this year, the bill was reintroduced, but it has not made it out to the floor for a vote in either house, despite its sponsor's contention that it would not cost any money. It is stuck in the Transportation Committee; Senator Saland said he would lobby to have the bill brought to a committee vote.

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association is helping Mr. Sweeney by lobbying legislators, according to Second Vice President Dan Sisto. He spoke of the importance of showing families of troopers killed on the job that their sacrifices were remembered with a standing tribute.

Need to Act Quickly

Mr. Sisto said it was important to move the legislation before the Legislature left for the summer. "We would like to see the concept moved out of concept phase, even if the first sign isn't for some time," Mr. Sisto said.

Mr. Sweeney has requested that present or retired Troopers and their families should write letters to their State Senators or Assemblymen requesting them to review and vote for the bills. He hopes to find a way to honor all 113 fallen Troopers, from James N. Skiff, the first to die in 1920, to John Snow, who died in the line of duty in 2008.

"Each time I pass Trooper Robert Dunning's and Trooper Brian Rovnak's memorial sign I say to myself, 'I did that," Mr. Sweeney wrote to supporters. "I want you to have that same feeling."