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House committee OKs designating Highway 200 as North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway
Summary
Senate Bill 2277, naming State Highway 200 the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway and permitting up to one mile of memorial designation per fallen officer with donated signs, received a do‑pass recommendation from the House Transportation Committee after broad support from survivors, law enforcement groups and county officials.
The House Transportation Committee voted to give Senate Bill 2277 a do‑pass recommendation, endorsing a proposal to designate State Highway 200—from the Minnesota border to the Montana border—as the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway.
Senator Keith Behm (sponsor) described the 431‑mile route and said the bill would direct the Department of Transportation to install official signage for the memorial designation, allow the department to work with families and organizations to designate up to one mile of the highway in memory of an individual peace or K‑9 officer, and accept donated signs or funds to cover signage and maintenance costs on a continuing appropriation basis.
Multiple witnesses representing survivors and law enforcement organizations spoke in favor. Lana Sleeper, whose late husband Deputy Brian Sleeper died in the line of duty in 2011, testified that the designation would "be a forever tribute" and a meaningful way to preserve the memory of fallen officers. Kurt Olson, a McLean County commissioner and retired deputy sheriff who researches law enforcement history, described the historical context and how communities remember officers. Travis Bateman reviewed several line‑of‑duty deaths and argued the highway would provide a visible, statewide tribute.
Committee members asked logistical questions about signage and donations. Matt Linneman, deputy director for engineering at the DOT, said the typical process is that donor sponsors procure signs consistent with DOT specifications and deliver them to DOT for installation; DOT staff handle supports and traffic control and will assist with layouts to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Linneman told the committee the DOT agreed to cover the cost of the highway designation signage and installation, leaving families or sponsors responsible only for memorial mile signs.
Support letters and resolutions from several county commissions (McKenzie, Dunn, Mercer and McLean) were noted. The North Dakota Peace Officers Association, North Dakota Sheriffs and Deputies Association, and the Chiefs of Police Association all testified in support.
Representative Martin moved the do‑pass recommendation, seconded by Representative Fralick. The clerk recorded the committee vote in favor and the motion carried. Representative Hendricks volunteered to carry the bill for the committee.
The bill moves to the full House; supporters said the designation would be a lasting statewide recognition of officers who died in the line of duty.
