California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 78

Introduced by Assembly Member Salas

May 20, 2015

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 78—Relative to the CHP Officer Gerald E. Dormaier Memorial Interchange.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 78, as introduced, Salas. CHP Officer Gerald E. Dormaier Memorial Interchange.

This measure would designate the interchange at the junction of State Routes 99 and 166 in the County of Kern as the CHP Officer Gerald E. Dormaier Memorial Interchange. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to 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, Officer Gerald E. Dormaier, California Highway
Patrol (CHP) Badge No. 4654, was born June 15, 1938 in Arvin,
California; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Dormaier graduated from Bakersfield High
School in 1955, went on to Bakersfield College, and then joined
the United States Air Force shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Dormaier was a member of the Future
Farmers of America poultry judging team in high school and won
first place over 17 other judging teams in a San Joaquin Valley
poultry judging contest held at Fresno State College; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Dormaier was a doting father and had three
wonderful children, Craig, Mark and Valerie; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining the California Highway Patrol,
Gerald Dormaier worked in Kern County’s oil fields; and

WHEREAS, Officer Dormaier graduated from the California
Highway Patrol Academy in 1966, and during his 14 years with
the CHP, served in the Los Angeles, Anaheim, Tejon, Buellton,
Truckee, and Bakersfield areas; and

WHEREAS, Officer Dormaier was killed in the line of duty on
December 25, 1980, when he and his partner, Officer Jerry Bean,
CHP Badge No. 6105, were attempting to set up road control for
an overturned propane truck. Officer Dormaier was standing on
the side of the road when a speeding tanker truck came barreling
through the fog. The driver attempted to stop, causing the vehicle
to jackknife near the center divider, striking Officer Dormaier and
the patrol car; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bean attempted to revive his partner and
administered CPR until the ambulance arrived. Officer Dormaier
was taken to Mercy Hospital, but unfortunately he succumbed to
his injuries; and

WHEREAS, Officer Dormaier was a hard working, dedicated
officer who loved his job and enjoyed the people he worked with.
He was a very nice man who was known for being a loving and
devoted father; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Officer Dormaier’s great
contributions and sacrifice in serving the California Highway Patrol
and the residents of California, it is appropriate to designate the
interchange at the junction of State Highway Routes 99 and 166
in the County of Kern in his honor; now therefore be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the
interchange at the junction of State Highway Routes 99 and 166
in the County of Kern as the CHP Officer Gerald E. Dormaier
Memorial Interchange; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested
to determine the costs of erecting appropriate signs, consistent
with the signing requirements for the state highway system,
showing this special designation and which shall include the star
of the California Highway Patrol and, upon receiving donations
from nonstate sources covering 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.