North Michigan News

State Representative John Roth addressed the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, advocating for House Bill 4046. The bill aims to rename a section of US-31 in Grand Traverse County as the Trooper James E. Boland Memorial Highway. Trooper Boland was killed in the line of duty in 1987.

Roth's proposal received unanimous support from the committee. "While Trooper Boland made the ultimate sacrifice almost 40 years ago now, I’m honored to be the one telling his story of service in Lansing today," said Roth, R-Interlochen. "Renaming this portion of US-31 in Trooper Boland’s honor will ensure that his legacy lives on long past any of us. Millions of people visit Traverse City each year, which means that if we get this done for Trooper Boland and his family, millions will see his name and hear about the service he so bravely offered all those years ago."

Trooper Boland was a Michigan State Police officer when he was struck and killed by a vehicle on July 26, 1987. He was directing traffic at East Front Street and Barlow Street in Traverse City during the National Governors’ Conference when a speeding driver under intoxication hit him and fled the scene. Despite first aid efforts at the site, Boland was declared dead upon arrival at Munson Hospital. He was recognized as the 40th MSP officer to die while serving.

The bill will now proceed to the full House for further deliberation.