California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 158

Introduced by Assembly Member Perea

June 5, 2014

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 158—Relative to the CHP Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez Memorial Highway.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 158, as introduced, Perea. The CHP Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez Memorial Highway.

This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 99 from the Fresno/Tulare County Line to the Mountain View Avenue Overcrossing in the County of Fresno as the CHP Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez Memorial Highway. 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 Brian Mitchio Law was born on July 2,
1979, in Redwood City, California; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law was married to his best friend,
Rebecca, whom he met when they were in the United States Air
Force, and they had three wonderful children: Lauren, Brandon,
and Samantha; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining the California Highway Patrol,
Officer Law served in the United States Marine Corps and the
United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law, badge number 18896, graduated from
the California Highway Patrol Academy in April 2008 with the
Cadet Training Class III-07 and, upon graduation, he was assigned
to the Oakland Area, where he served for approximately five years
before being transferred to the Fresno Area; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law was an avid sports fan and a “die-hard”
San Francisco 49ers fan, so much so that his youngest daughter’s
baby shower was 49er-themed; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Officer Law and his wife
were about to open a kick-boxing studio for women in North
Fresno--Fight Girl Fitness--into which he had put his “heart and
soul”; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law was a hard-working, dedicated officer
who loved his job and enjoyed the people he worked with. He was
known for being a loyal and devoted family man and a wonderful
father and husband. His greatest joys were his wife and children.
In his spare time, Officer Law loved taking his family out on his
“pride and joy”--his speed boat, and barbequing and serving his
delicious tri-tip; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law is admired by all who knew him for
his easy going demeanor, his ability to make friends with everyone,
and his dedication to serving others; and

WHEREAS, Officer Juan Jaime Gonzalez was born on February
10, 1981, graduated from Fresno State University, and was a
member of the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez had dreams of becoming a
California Highway Patrol Officer since five years of age and, in
2008, that dream came true; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez, badge number 18935, graduated
from the California Highway Patrol Academy in April of 2008
with the Cadet Training Class III-07 and, upon graduation, he was
assigned to the San Jose Area, where he served for approximately
two years before being transferred to the Fresno Area; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez will always be remembered for
his silly jokes, his infectious “Scooby Doo” laugh, and his devotion
to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez is admired for his commitment
to duty and the citizens of California, and his faithfulness, honesty,
and integrity; and

WHEREAS, On February 17, 2014, the state suffered a tragic
loss when California Highway Patrol Officers Brian M. Law and
Juan J. Gonzalez were killed in a single vehicle crash while
responding to an accident, thereby making the ultimate sacrifice
while performing their sworn duty; and

WHEREAS, Officers Law and Gonzalez, who were classmates
at the CHP Academy and good friends, were riding in the same
patrol car responding to an accident, which had been incorrectly
reported in the opposite direction. Nearing the scene of the
accident, the officers swerved to avoid one of the pedestrians that
had been involved in the accident and struck a guardrail, which
caused their vehicle to overturn. Both officers suffered fatal injuries
and were pronounced dead at the scene; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law is survived by his mother, Judy, father,
Denis, wife, Rebecca, daughter, Samantha, son, Brandon,
step-daughter, Lauren, and sister, Carol; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez is survived by his mother, Maria
and sister, Sandra; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the contributions, bravery, and
sacrifice of Officers Law and Gonzalez in serving the California
Highway Patrol and the citizens of California, it would be fitting
to designate a portion of State Highway Route 99, in the County
of Fresno, in their honor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the
portion of State Highway Route 99 from the Fresno/Tulare County
Line to the Mountain View Avenue Overcrossing in the County
of Fresno as the CHP Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez
Memorial Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested
to determine the costs of erecting the appropriate signs, consistent
with the signing requirements for the state highway system,
showing these special designations, and upon receiving donations
from non state sources covering the costs, to erect those signs; and
be it further

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