DET. SGT. CHRISTOPER M. WOUTERS
MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
House Bill 6147 (H-1) as reported from committee
Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Green
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 12-5-18 (Enacted as Public Act 665 of 2018)
SUMMARY:
House Bill 6147 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of highway M-53 in Macomb County that begins at its intersection with 14 Mile Road and extends south to its intersection with 8 Mile Road as the “Det. Sgt. Christopher M. Wouters Memorial Highway.”
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
Proposed MCL 250.1030a
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
According to committee testimony and the Warren Police Officer’s Association, on October 11, 2000, an individual was arrested by undercover officers for a narcotics violation. Two patrol officers transported the suspect to jail. Once at the jail, the suspect was searched and a Velcro holster was found in his waist. A short time later Detective Wouters arrived to interview the suspect and was informed that a holster was found on him. When the officers instructed the suspect to stand for a more thorough search, the suspect pulled a handgun from his pants and started running from the area. One of the officers jumped on the suspect from behind, and as Detective Wouters arrived to assist the officer, he was shot. The suspect struggled with the other officer, and the gun discharged, killing the suspect instantly. Detective Wouters was transported to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries 45 minutes later. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. Detective Sergeant Wouters had been with the Warren Police Department for 19 years.
In 2001 the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, to which he belonged, was re-chartered as the Christopher M. Wouters Lodge. In 2008, the City of Warren officially named the Warren Police Headquarters the Christopher M. Wouters Police Headquarters Building. Dedicating a portion of highway M-53 in Macomb County would be an appropriate way to honor his life, his service, and his sacrifice for the citizens of Warren, Macomb County, and the State of Michigan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act indicates that the state transportation department shall provide for the erection of suitable markers indicating the name of the highway only “when sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the cost of erecting and maintaining those markers.” As a result, the bill has no state or local fiscal impact.
POSITIONS:
A representative of the Warren Police Department testified in support of the bill.
(11-27-18)
The Department of Transportation has no position on the bill. (11-27-18)
Fiscal Analyst: William E. Hamilton
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.