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TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THE EAST AND WEST BOUND LANES OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 20 AT MILE MARKER 49 THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "SCHP PATROLMAN BEN W. STRICKLAND MEMORIAL HIGHWAY".
Whereas, with deep appreciation, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly honor, on behalf of all South Carolinians, the great sacrifice that the men and women of South Carolina law enforcement make for the safety and protection so richly enjoyed in this State; and
Whereas, born in Colleton County at Williams on August 5, 1933, South Carolina Highway Patrolman Ben Wesley Strickland graduated from St. George High School in 1951; and
Whereas, from 1953 to 1955, he served in the United States Army with distinction and attained the rank of staff sergeant; and
Whereas, before his appointment to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Ben Strickland served as a policeman in St. George from 1957 to 1958; and
Whereas, he began his career with the Highway Patrol on February 2, 1958, and was assigned to the Columbia area following his successful completion of Patrol School; and
Whereas, in 1959, he was assigned to the Batesburg area and was promoted to patrolman first class on June 28, 1964; and
Whereas, on May 31, 1974, while Patrolman Strickland was on patrol in Lexington County, he stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 20 near the rest area at mile marker 49 and arrested the driver of the vehicle for driving with a suspended license; and
Whereas, although another person at the scene shot him with a shotgun as he was getting out of his vehicle, Patrolman Stickland was able to return fire, wound his assailant, and radio that he had been shot before he succumbed to the injuries he had sustained in the line of duty; and
Whereas, there is no greater or braver sacrifice that can be made than to lay down one's life in the service of others; Trooper Strickland's life of valor will not be forgotten by the grateful citizens of this State; and
Whereas, Ben Strickland was married to his beloved Bobbie Jean McClure Strickland, and he was the proud father of two fine sons, Steven and David; and
Whereas, he was a member of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Lexington County Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Batesburg-Leesville Lions Club, and the Smoaks Baptist Church; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the South Carolina General Assembly to remember the life and sacrifice of State Highway Patrolman First Class Ben Wesley Strickland by erecting signs along Interstate Highway 20 that pay tribute to his life and legacy. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly request that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate markers or signs along the east and west bound lanes of Interstate Highway 20 at mile marker 49 that contain the words "SCHP Patrolman Ben W. Strickland Memorial Highway".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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