BILL NUMBER: ACR 159	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chesbro
   (Coauthor: Senator Evans)

                        JUNE 10, 2014

   Relative to the Deputy Sheriff Merrit W. Deeds Memorial Highway.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 159, as introduced, Chesbro. Deputy Sheriff Merrit W. Deeds
Memorial Highway.
   This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway
Route 116 in the County of Sonoma as the Deputy Sheriff Merrit W.
Deeds Memorial Highway. The measure would request that the Department
of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing
this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate
sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Merrit W. Deeds was born on February 23, 1943, in
Rohnerville, California, grew up in Sonoma County, and graduated from
Healdsburg High School in 1960; and
   WHEREAS, Merrit W. Deeds joined the United States Army in 1964 and
served in Vietnam in the 81st Airborne Infantry Division; and
   WHEREAS, Merrit W. Deeds first served with the Sonoma County
Sheriff's Office in 1970 as a Summer Deputy and was assigned to the
Guerneville Substation; and
   WHEREAS, After graduating from Sacramento State University, Merrit
W. Deeds moved to Alaska to attend the Alaska State Trooper Academy
and, upon graduation from the academy, became an Alaska State
Trooper; and
   WHEREAS, Merrit W. Deeds moved back to California in 1975 with his
wife and again became a Summer Deputy for the Sonoma County Sheriff'
s Office on May 23, 1975; and
   WHEREAS, On August 23, 1975, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
notified Merrit W. Deeds that he was to become a permanent, full-time
Deputy Sheriff with the sheriff's office; and
   WHEREAS, Only hours after this notification, Deputy Sheriff Deeds
was patrolling State Highway Route 116 near Jenner when he stopped to
talk with three men who were parked on the side of the road; and
   WHEREAS, The driver of the vehicle fired two shots at Deputy
Sheriff Deeds, the second of which was fatal; and
   WHEREAS, Reserve Deputy Rex Nance, who was off duty, stopped to
assist, and Deputy Sheriff Deeds was able to warn him that the driver
had a gun, possibly saving Reserve Deputy Nance's life; and
   WHEREAS, At 32 years of age, Deputy Sheriff Deeds sacrificed his
life in meritorious service for the residents of the County of Sonoma
and the State of California; and
   WHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff Deeds was survived by his wife and two
small daughters; and
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the
portion of State Highway Route 116 from State Highway Route 1 to
Armstrong Woods Road in the County of Sonoma as the Deputy Sheriff
Merrit W. Deeds Memorial Highway; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to
determine the cost of appropriate signs consistent with the signing
requirements for the state highway system showing this special
designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources
sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs; and be it further

   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author
for appropriate distribution.