-Naming bridges to honor fallen troopers now possible- Soon, two bridges spanning Interstate 95 may be named for Virginia State Troopers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) sponsored House Bills 6009 and 6010. HB 6009 designates the Route 207 bridge over I-95 in Caroline County the "Trooper Robert Tinsley Lohr Memorial Bridge." On July 22, 1978, Trooper Lohr was assisting a motorist on I-95 near Carmel Church; where he was struck at 4:20 a.m. while performing his duties to the citizens of Caroline County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Trooper Farmer and died later that same morning.
House Bill 6010 designates the Route 639 bridge over I-95 the "Trooper Robin Lee Farmer Memorial Bridge." Trooper Farmer was conducting a motor vehicle safety checking detail on September 3, 1981. He was killed in a two-vehicle collision crash while in pursuit of a driver who refused to stop at the safety checking detail.
Speaking about the passage of these measures Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa stated, "I am grateful to the Caroline County Board of Supervisors for the resolution and to Delegate Chris Peace in the presentation to the General Assembly for our cause. As a former trooper, sergeant, and first sergeant here in Caroline County, I had the pleasure to have known and worked with Trooper Farmer. I am extremely happy to see that these two bridges will bear the names of the Troopers stationed in Caroline County and they will be remembered for their ultimate sacrifice in public safety. "
“I would like to thank Roger Cavendish, a resident of the 97th District, for bringing the idea for these bills to my attention,” affirmed Delegate Peace. “Through the naming of these bridges Virginia will honor the service and sacrifice of Troopers Farmer and Lohr and will celebrate their dedication and commitment to service. These brave men placed their lives in harms way for the safety and well-being of others.”