Bill Text: NJ S4313 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates overpass of Stelton Road on Interstate Highway Route 287 as "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass."
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Passed) 2026-01-12 - Approved P.L.2025, c.214. [S4313 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S4313-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
Senator RAJ MUKHERJI
District 32 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates overpass of Stelton Road on Interstate Highway Route 287 as "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating the overpass of Stelton Road on Interstate Highway Route 287 as the "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass."
Whereas, Richard H. Conklin graduated from South Plainfield High School and served as a member of United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, receiving the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal; and
Whereas, William J. Cady graduated from Woodbridge High School and served as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal; and
Whereas, After completing their tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Conklin, in November 1967, and Mr. Cady, in February 1969, became members of the South Plainfield Police Department and served in the Patrol Division; and
Whereas, On January 21, 1972, Mr. Conklin was called to assist a local rescue squad transport; and
Whereas, Mr. Conklin was shot in the line of duty while traveling on Stelton Road at Interstate Highway Route 287; and
Whereas, Three years later, on April 19, 1975, Mr. Cady, was struck by a car and killed while on a traffic stop on Interstate Highway Route 287; and
Whereas, Both Mr. Conklin and Mr. Cady received numerous commendations during their years in service with the South Plainfield Police Department and earned the respect of their fellow officers, superiors, and the citizens of the community they served; and
Whereas, These two police officers lost their lives while fulfilling duties entrusted to them by the South Plainfield Police Department; and
Whereas, To honor the lives and service of Mr. Conklin and Mr. Cady, as both police officers and military veterans, it is fitting and proper to designate the overpass of Stelton Road on Interstate Highway Route 287 North and on Interstate Highway Route 287 South as the "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass"; 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 overpass of Stelton Road at milepost 5.88 on
Interstate Highway Route 287 North and on Interstate Highway Route 287 South in
the Borough of South Plainfield as the "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass"
and shall 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, erecting, and maintaining 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.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the overpass of Stelton Road at milepost 5.88 of the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate Highway Route 287 as the "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass" to honor the memory of Richard H. Conklin and William J. Cady, two South Plainfield police officers who died in the line of duty three years apart on or near this stretch of road.
Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the "Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass." The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation.
