Bill Text: NJ A4344 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates portion of Route 18 in East Brunswick as "State Trooper Werner Foerster Memorial Interchange."
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-2)
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-11 - Approved P.L.2017, c.87. [A4344 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A4344-Chaptered.html
T&E &
Note to 27:6-1
An Act designating a portion of State Highway Route 18 in the Township of East Brunswick as the "State Trooper Werner Foerster Memorial Interchange."
Whereas, State Trooper Werner Foerster was an extraordinary public servant whose service to the Division of State Police ("State Police") was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty, and faithful and honorable devotion to the principles of the State Police; and
Whereas, Born on August 19, 1938, in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, State Trooper Foerster embodied bravery even as a young man, escaping from communist East Germany before the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961; and
Whereas, Searching for a better life for himself and his family, State Trooper Foerster settled in the United States, where he lived with his family in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey and worked as a welder for Ross Engineering in New Brunswick, New Jersey; and
Whereas, In 1963, State Trooper Foerster's passion and love for his new country led him to enlist in the United States Army, where he served during the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1965; and
Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who loved serving others and his State, State Trooper Foerster earned a place in the 82nd class of the New Jersey State Police Academy; and
Whereas, Upon graduating from the New Jersey State Police Academy on July 24, 1970, State Trooper Foerster was assigned to various stations, including the Toms River, Colts Neck, Fort Dix, and Key Port stations; and
Whereas, State Trooper Foerster served honorably for the State Police for three years with his last assignment beginning on November 13, 1972 for Troop "D" in New Brunswick, where he served for 1[seven months] less than a year1 prior to his death; and
Whereas, On May 2, 1973, State Trooper Foerster tragically lost his life in the line of duty when he was shot during a traffic stop while coming to the 1[aide] aid1 of another State Trooper attempting to apprehend three suspects on the New Jersey Turnpike; and
Whereas, State Trooper Foerster was a dedicated member of the New Jersey State Police as well as a loving husband and father whose memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow State Troopers; and
Whereas, In 2005, the overpass 1[on] which carries1 State Highway Route 181[, which intersects] over1 the New Jersey Turnpike in the Township of East Brunswick1[,]1 was dedicated in State Trooper Foerster's honor as the "Werner Foerster Overpass," however, re-designating the overpass and updating the sign bearing the designation provides a more fitting tribute to State Trooper Foerster; and
Whereas, As a true example of leadership and service to the State, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor the memory of State Trooper Werner Foerster by designating a portion of State Highway Route 18 in the Township of East Brunswick as the "State Trooper Werner Foerster Memorial Interchange"; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of State Highway Route 18, extending from milepost 39.43 to milepost 39.77, in the Township of East Brunswick as the "State Trooper Werner Foerster Memorial Interchange" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.
2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Designates portion of Route 18 in East Brunswick as "State Trooper Werner Foerster Memorial Interchange."
