Dan Saddler, Press Secretary State Capitol, Room 413 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3804 Fax: (907) 465-4450 Actualities: (800) 478-6540 Web: www.akrepublicans.org Send E-Mail    or    E-Mail List: subscribe

House Bill Honors Fallen Peace Officers
Rep. Kott’s HB 507 Would Name Weigh Station, Bike Trail

(JUNEAU) - Alaska would honor the memory of two Alaska peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty by renaming prominent state transportation landmarks in their honor, under a bill passed unanimously by the House today.

House Bill 507 would name the north-bound weigh station at Mile 10.6 of the Glenn Highway after Trooper Hans-Peter Lothar Roelle, and would name the bicycle trail along the west side of the Glenn Highway between Anchorage and Eagle River in honor of Officer Justin Todd Wollam.

Rep. Pete Kott sponsored House Bill 507 as chair of the House Rules Committee, saying that it is important for Alaskans to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to those who risk their lives to ensure the safety of all Alaskans.

"These two peace officers made the ultimate sacrifice for Alaskans," Kott said. "Memorializing them in this way reaffirms the values of the community and the country, and it reminds us all that there is a higher level of existence that responds to what one trooper called 'the better angels of our nature.'"

Roelle was a respected commercial vehicle inspector and patrolman, who volunteered in schools, coached Boys and Girls Club soccer and assisted others even off duty. He was so devoted to his work that he even studied to become a certified commercial driver to better understand and serve the truckers he worked with and watched over. He was killed last year while responding to a domestic violence shooting, by a man who also killed his own two children his wife, then himself. Roelle is survived by his wife and four children.

Wollam was an enthusiastic officer remembered for his outstanding service to the community and his love of family, who quickly earned the admiration of fellow officers with his enthusiasm for law enforcement and his special way with people. Wollam was killed when an inebriated teenager eluding police crashed his car into Wollam's police cruiser on the Glenn Highway last summer. Wollam is survived by his wife and daughter.

At a recent memorial service there was a sign reading, 'Not all heroes live in New York,'" Kott said. "With HB 507, the Alaska State Legislature provides a fitting tribute to the memory of these Alaskan heroes."

HB 507 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

# # #

Attachments:

• Print Friendly Version
  Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 13K
  

| Rep. Kott's Page |

| Top | Home | Site Search | Breaking News | Legislators | Bills |
| Committees | E-Newsletter | Surveys | Research | Help |

The Official Web Site of the House and Senate Legislative Majorities
for the 22nd Alaska State Legislature
To Report Technical Problems or Contact Webmasters