TPR. STEVEN B. DEVRIES MEMORIAL HWY H.B. 4389 (H-1):
ANALYSIS AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4389 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Dave Pagel
House Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Senate Committee: Transportation
RATIONALE
Periodically, stretches of highway are named to memorialize prominent Michigan residents or to commemorate historical events. In recognition of his service and sacrifice, it has been suggested that a portion of a highway in Berrien County be named for Trooper Steven B. Devries, a Michigan State Police officer killed in the line of duty near the city of Niles.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of Highway US-12 in Berrien County beginning at the intersection of US-12 and Highway M-60 and continuing west to the intersection of Highway US-12 and Highway US-31 as the "Tpr. Steven B. Devries Memorial Highway".
The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted.
Proposed MCL 250.1004a
BACKGROUND
Trooper Steven B. Devries was shot and killed near Niles, Michigan, on October 12, 1972. Trooper Devries was on patrol when he received a call regarding a bank alarm in the City of Niles. Other officers responding to the robbery observed that Trooper Devries had stopped a vehicle with one subject. The trooper was shot by the subject during the stop and died at a local hospital from his wounds. He was 32 years old, and survived by his wife and two children.
Investigating officers found that Trooper Devries had written the subject's name and address on a notepad. The subject was later apprehended, admitted to both the bank robbery and the murder, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He escaped prison on July 4, 1987, and was later killed in a gun battle with sheriff deputies in Mississippi, while fleeing from another bank robbery.
Trooper Devries was the 28th Michigan State Police officer to die in the line of duty.
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
The bill would provide recognition for a Michigan resident who, at sacrifice to himself, served his community. Enacting a highway marker is a fitting way to remind thousands of drivers about this person and his contributions. This could be done at no cost to the State or local governments, because the Michigan Memorial Highway Act prohibits the erection of markers indicating the name
of a highway until sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the cost of erecting and maintaining those markers.
Legislative Analyst: Ryan M. Bergan
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Glenn Steffens
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.