Bill Text: CA ACR179 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 179 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr., Memorial Highway.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-08-21 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 161, Statutes of 2018. [ACR179 Detail]

Download: California-2017-ACR179-Chaptered.html

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 179

CHAPTER 161

Relative to the Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr., Memorial Highway.

[ Filed with Secretary of State August 21, 2018. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 179, Flora. Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr., Memorial Highway.

This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 88 between Comstock Road and East Harney Lane in the County of San Joaquin as the Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr., Memorial Highway.

This measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the costs of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering those costs, to erect those signs.

Fiscal Committee: YES

WHEREAS, Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr., was born on January 23, 1959, to Robert and Jane Paris, and was raised, along with his older sister and younger brother, in Tracy, California; and

WHEREAS, As a young boy, Bob was fascinated anytime he saw or heard lights and sirens, always wanting to follow the first responders to get in on the action, and it was no surprise to those who knew him that, after graduating from Tracy High School in 1977, Bob would decide to become a paramedic; and

WHEREAS, Bob attended a paramedic training program in Santa Barbara and then went to work for Tracy Ambulance, earning the “Paramedic of the Year” award in 1983, and he continued his service as a paramedic when American Medical Response took over Tracy Ambulance; and

WHEREAS, The people of Tracy appreciated the calm, professional paramedic who responded to their emergencies and many people relayed stories of Bob coming to the rescue, remembering how his compassion, professionalism, and outstanding medical care helped them get through some of the most frightening moments of their lives; and

WHEREAS, It was during Bob’s 18 years as a paramedic that his children were born; a daughter, Jami, and son, Bobby, with whom he shared his passion for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing; and

WHEREAS, Bob’s greatest achievement was as a parent and, in that role, he was an active dad who shared custody of his children and was very involved in their activities, birthday celebrations, vacations, holiday gatherings, and school and church functions; and

WHEREAS, Bob recognized the importance of family, and he encouraged the continued relationship between his extended family and his children’s mothers; and

WHEREAS, During the last 20 years of Bob’s life, he was devoted to his daughter, who suffered from recurrent brain tumors, surgeries, radiation treatments, and hospitalizations, and he was front and center at every crisis, lending a strong, but calm presence to every situation; and

WHEREAS, Eventually, Bob went after his dream of becoming a police officer, and graduated from the Ray Simon Regional Criminal Justice Training Center in 1993; and

WHEREAS, After working as a reserve deputy for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department for three years, he accepted a full-time position as a deputy sheriff, serving in patrol operations, court services, and in the Special Vehicle Off-road and Water Enforcement Unit for the county, and in his last two years, served in the Civil Division of the county; and

WHEREAS, Bob took special pride in his work with the Sheriff Explorers, believing that he may have influence on the next generation of law enforcement in some small positive way; and

WHEREAS, Bob loved working with and entertaining children, often deputizing them and handing out sticker badges, and spending time at Christmas participating in the children’s “Shop with a Cop” event, at which children in need were paired up with an officer who helped them pick out a Christmas gift; and

WHEREAS, Bob frequently worked at the Stanislaus County Fair, as well as other community festivals where Bob truly shined with his gift of making whomever he was conversing with feel as though he was there only for them, and he constantly showed how he valued people from all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, On April 12, 2012, Deputy Sheriff Paris and his partner met a locksmith at a Modesto home to carry out a scheduled eviction, at which time Deputy Sheriff Paris knocked and announced himself, but after receiving no response, was shot and killed, along with the locksmith who had been drilling the lock, by a person armed with multiple weapons; and

WHEREAS, Following Bob’s death, there were hundreds of stories shared by people in the community relaying how Bob provided medical care, comfort, or befriended someone in the community who had fallen on tough times; and

WHEREAS, One couple who knew Bob remembered that, when the couple’s son was killed, Bob had been the first responder to the scene, had provided caring assistance at what was the worst moment of their lives, and, upon seeing them a year later, Bob remembered and embraced them, which deeply touched the grieving couple; and

WHEREAS, Reflections from Bob’s coworkers also revealed details about Bob’s great sense of humor, skills as an outdoorsman, and caring nature as someone who was always there if a friend or family member needed something; and

WHEREAS, It was through these stories that the character of Bob Paris became visible to those closest to him, and there are many stories of the kindness Bob showed while in uniform, or as an off-duty deputy sheriff; and

WHEREAS, Bob’s many generous actions, kindness, and dedication to serving others is fondly remembered by his family, friends, coworkers, and the many citizens of the community whose lives were touched by Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr.; 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 88 between Comstock Road and East Harney Lane, in the County of San Joaquin, as the Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Paris, Jr., Memorial Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost of the signs for which the donations were made, 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.