Monday evening, State Representative Jack Jordon presented members of the Plymouth Common Council with a copy of a resolution from the House of Representatives to rename a portion of US 30 as the “Ralph ‘Ray’ Reed Memorial Drive.”
Giving some details of the process, Jordan said between the Senate and House, only five opportunities are given each year to get a state highway named after someone. He said every session there are dozens and dozens requested but only five are selected. This year Jordan’s request was accepted but there is still more work to do before the request is approved.
Representative Jordan read the resolution which states in part: Indiana State Police master Motor Carrier Inspector “Ray” reed was struck and killed on U.S.30 in Marshall County on August 3, 2005. Reed had stopped to inspect a semi-tractor trailer when he walked around the semi and an oncoming semi hauling cattle struck and killed him. He was the first Indiana State Police Motor Carries Inspector to be killed in the line of duty. Reed served 27 years and 3 months with the ISP. The resolution said: “That the Indiana General Assembly acknowledges the sacrifice made by Master Motor Carrier Inspector Ralph “Ray” Reed by honoring his memory by renaming that section of U.S. Highway 30 from the intersection with Pine Road (now known as Pioneer drive) in Plymouth to the intersection with Oak Road (now Oak Drive) the “Ralph ‘Ray’ Reed Memorial Drive.”
Hurshel Hunter, President of Plymouth F.O.P Lodge 195 said they started the request process three years ago. He told the council, “This is not about the FOP. This is about honoring a man who dedicated his life to the service of the Indiana State Police and his family.”
The Plymouth City Council unanimously motioned to endorse the resolution presented by Representative Jack Jordan.
