SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10
(By Senators Schoonover and Love)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name the Meadow River Bridge
on U. S. Route 19 near the county line between Fayette and
Nicholas counties the "Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Kevin Ritchie, a paramedic for Jan-Care Ambulance
Service responded to an accident in the ice and snow on the Meadow
River Bridge on U. S. Route 19 near the Fayette and Nicholas County
line on Saturday, November 15, 1997; and
Whereas, While Kevin Ritchie was assisting at the scene of the
accident, three additional vehicles lost control and in an attempt
to avoid the oncoming vehicles, Ritchie fell 300 feet from the
Meadow River Bridge; and
Whereas, Kevin Ritchie was 34 years old and an eight-year
veteran paramedic who, through his teaching of Advanced Cardiac
Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and numerous trauma
and rescue courses, served the citizens of southern West Virginia;
and
Whereas, In tribute to Kevin Ritchie's life of service, the
ambulance service for which he worked renamed its primary
educational facility in his honor. Additionally, his badge and emergency vehicle numbers were retired; and
Whereas, Kevin Ritchie made the ultimate sacrifice in service
to his fellow man and it is appropriate that the bridge from which
he fell be named in his honor to further commemorate and
memorialize his life and service; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the
Meadow River Bridge on U. S. Route 19 near the county line between
Fayette and Nicholas counties the '""Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge"";
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner
of the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the Governor of West Virginia and the parents
of Kevin Ritchie.