Roadway memorials to troopers approved by panel

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Trooper James Froemsdorf, murdered in the line of duty in 1985, would be humbled if he knew of a plan in the General Assembly to name a stretch of highway after him, his widow told lawmakers Wednesday.

Sarah Froemsdorf said that with recent events highlighting the dangers law enforcement officers face everyday, the time couldn't be better to recognize her husband's sacrifice, as well of those of two fellow troopers killed on the job.

"At a time when we need role models, at a time when we need to show respect for law enforcement, at a time when we need heroes, I know if Jim were here he would consider it an honor," Sarah Froemsdorf said while testifying before the House Transportation Committee.

The panel considered three separate bills, each honoring a different fallen trooper. All three measures are sponsored by Southeast Missouri lawmakers.

The other bills would name a bridge after Sgt. Robert A. Guilliams of Portageville and section of road after Trooper Kelly L. Poynter of Houston. Guilliams died in a traffic crash a year ago; Poynter was killed by a drunk driver last month.

The committee unanimously sent all three bills to the full House, where they will be on a fast track reserved for non-controversial legislation.

'Giving back'

State Rep. Pat Naeger, R-Perryville, is sponsoring the bill to name I-55 between Brewer and Perryville the James Froemsdorf Memorial Highway. Froemsdorf, 35, was fatally shot near the Brewer exit on March 2, 1985, in what began as a routine traffic stop. The state executed his killer in July.

Teri Armistead, one of Froemsdorf's three daughters, and his 1-year-old granddaughter, Savannah, also attended the legislative hearing.

"Trooper Froemsdorf was a valiant public servant who gave his life defending the freedom we all cherish," Naeger said. "Today we give something back to Trooper Froemsdorf and his family."

A bridge spanning a ditch on I-55 in Pemiscot County would become the Sgt. Rob Guilliams, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Memorial Bridge under the bill sponsored by state Rep. Denny Merideth, D-Caruthersville.

"He set an example for those in the community he lived, yet he affected the whole Southeast Missouri region," Merideth said.

Guilliams, 41, was responding to an accident on Feb. 16, 2001, when he lost control of his patrol car on the rain-slicked road and struck a bridge abutment. His widow, Paula Guilliams, and their two young children were unable to attend the hearing.

Family friend

State Rep. Don Koller, D-Summersville, is sponsoring the bill to name Highway 63 south of Houston in Texas County the Trooper Kelly L. Poynter Memorial Highway. Although the county falls outside of his legislative district, Koller is sponsoring the bill because Poynter was a family friend.

"I think the least we can do is memorialize him," Koller said.

Poynter, 27, was working an accident on Jan. 18 when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver, whom was allegedly drunk, was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The trooper is survived by his wife, Alison Poynter, and two young children. Alison Poynter attended the hearing but didn't testify.

Kathey Webster's husband, Cpl. Michael E. Webster, was killed on Oct. 2, 1993, under circumstances similar to Poynter's. The legislature named the section of Highway 40 in St. Louis where the incident occurred after Webster several years ago.

Webster said she still has mixed emotions where she sees the signs with her husband's name on it.

"It is very painful, but at the same time it makes the family very proud," Webster said.

The Missouri State Troopers Association has offered to pay for the signs marking the proposed memorial roads and bridge if the measures become law.

The bills are HB 1141 (Naeger), HB 1400 (Merideth) and HB 1745 (Koller).

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