LUMBERTON — A Department of Transportation policy change is keeping the word “memorial” off of signs dedicating the Exit 22 bridge in memory of Lumberton police Officer Jeremiah Goodson.
Those who petitioned to have the Fayetteville Road bridge dedicated in honor of Goodson, who was fatally shot about a mile from the bridge on July 17, 2012, had expected to see in big white letters “Officer Jeremiah M. Goodson Jr. Memorial Bridge.”
But according to Missy Pair, a staff engineer with the DOT’s Division of Highways, the department stopped putting the word on signs several years ago.
On Thursday night, law enforcement officers, Goodson’s relatives, local residents and local, state and Robeson Community College officials attended a dedication ceremony at the college, during which a replica of the signs — including “memorial” — was presented to Goodson’s family.
During the ceremony, questions were raised about why “memorial” was being left off the signs and why they wouldn’t be placed on Interstate 95. Speakers asked those in attendance to contact state officials with those concerns.
“Jeremiah certainly deserves nothing less,” said Lumberton City Councilman Erich Hackney, who lent a hand in Fayetteville police Detective Stig Larson’s two-year effort to dedicate the bridge.
Those involved had hoped that the signs would be placed on Interstate 95, similar to ones on the interstate near Fayetteville honoring a fallen state trooper and Cumberland County deputy. Instead, the signs will be put up on U.S. 301 leading up to the bridge, which is under construction. Greg Burns, Highway Division 6 engineer for the DOT, said the signs will be placed on the bridge because the application requested the bridge be named.
Department of Transportation policy specifies that “law enforcement officers will be honored with bridge dedications in lieu of highways.” The city will contribute $1,000 for the signs — 50 percent of the cost.
State Sen. Jane Smith, who is from Lumberton and attended Thursday’s ceremony, said she would address the matter with DOT officials.
“I’ll talk to some folks and see what we can do but it may be not possible,” Smith said.
Smith said it’s “wonderful” that Goodson will be honored.
“Going back and forth to Raleigh all the time, I see that memorial bridge in Fayetteville in honor of Lowry and Hathcock. It’s always kind of moving every time you pass it and I would love to have the same for Officer Goodson,” she said.
Speakers at the dedication ceremony on Thursday urged those in attendance to contact local legislators or Transportation Secretary Tony Tata to request that the signs include the word “memorial” and be placed on Interstate 95.
The following mailing addresses were distributed: Secretary Tony Tata, NC Department of Transportation, 1501 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699; Sen. Jane Smith, 4933 White Oak Drive, Lumberton, N.C. 28358; Rep. Charles Graham, 479 Bee Gee Road, Lumberton, N.C., 28358; Rep. Garland Pierce, 21981 Buie St., Wagram, N.C., 28356; Rep. Ken Waddell, 9247 Silver Spoon Road, Clarkton, N.C., 28433; and Rep. Ken Goodman, 832 Williamsburg Drive, Rockingham, N.C., 28379.
