Merrillville council endorses state request to designate US-30 mile as Sergeant William Gilbert Patterson Memorial Mile

The Merrillville Town Council on June 24 approved a resolution (25-23) urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to designate a section of U.S. Highway 30 (mile markers 15–16) as the Sergeant William Gilbert Patterson Memorial Mile.

Representatives of the Chris Anton Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and State Representative Julie Althoff attended to ask for the council’s support. Chris Akey, lodge president, and lodge vice president explained the lodge’s petition and requested the council’s endorsement to advance the request through the state process. State Representative Julie Althoff described Sergeant Patterson’s local ties and urged council support; she said the request will go to an interim roads and transportation committee for review and, if approved there, would proceed during the 2026 legislative session.

Councilman Michael Pettit moved the resolution and the council voted by roll call 7-0 to approve it. Town staff said they would circulate multiple signed copies: one each for the petitioner, the state representative and the lodge president. Representatives said that if the request does not clear the state process, the council could consider a local tribute, such as memorial signage on a town easement.

Petitioners said the process will take about a year and that, once approved at the state level, the lodge hoped to install a small memorial at the designated location. The council authorized the president and the Clerk-Treasurer to attest to the resolution; staff said they would prepare copies bearing all council signatures if the members preferred that format for their records.