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Council discusses options to honor fallen Nash County deputy; staff to gather community input and cost estimates
Summary
Nash County requested a bridge be named for Deputy Jared Allison; Rocky Mount staff presented alternatives including approval of the bridge-name request, a monument in a visible park, or other commemorative options and will collect community input and cost estimates before returning to council.
City staff presented a request Aug. 25 from the Nash County Sheriff’s Department asking the city to approve a resolution supporting the naming of the bridge at US Highway 64 and US Highway 301 in honor of fallen Deputy Jared Allison.
Donald (city staff) summarized the NCDOT requirement that the local governing body where a bridge is located approve a resolution supporting an application to name a state-maintained bridge. Donald said Deputy Allison sustained severe injuries in a collision while on duty on Thanksgiving night 2020 and died Dec. 1, 2020. Donald told council Rocky Mount has 48 NCDOT bridges and approximately five remaining unnamed bridges staff considered significant.
Staff presented three options for council consideration: approve the request as submitted (support the bridge-naming application), erect a stone or wall monument at a highly visible city location such as Battle Park, LK Junior Park or Sunset Park, or pursue other commemorations (for example, naming intersections or other features) and gather community input. Donald took questions and said staff would research process and cost alternatives and follow up with the sheriff’s office.
Several council members supported a visible monument and suggested expanding the concept into a public-safety memorial that could honor fallen police and fire personnel who died on active duty. Council members also flagged the precedent and equity questions around dedicating a limited number of bridges and noted the difference between city-owned streets and state-maintained roads, which would require NCDOT approval for a street name or bridge dedication. One council member noted prior memorials in the city (MLK memorial and Veterans Memorial) were largely community-led and fundraised, and that a new dedication might use a different funding approach if placed in an existing park.
Next steps: Staff will collect community input, identify visible and appropriate locations, develop cost estimates and report back to council with options and recommendations. No resolution or vote was taken on Aug. 25.
