P.L. 2017, c.222 (A4542 1R)

An Act designating a portion of ¹[United States Highway Route 322 in Atlantic County] State Highway Route 55¹ as the “State Trooper Frankie ¹L.¹ Williams Memorial Highway.”

Whereas, State Trooper Frankie ¹L.¹ Williams was an extraordinary public servant whose service to the Division of State Police ¹[(“State Police”)] (State Police)¹ was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty, and faithful and honorable devotion to the principles of the State Police; and

Whereas, Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and raised in Lakeland, Florida, State Trooper Williams attended George Jenkins High School in Lakeland, Florida; and

Whereas, After graduating from high school in 2003, State Trooper Williams returned to Atlantic County, where he lived as a resident of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey and furthered his education; and

Whereas, State Trooper Williams earned an associate’s degree from Atlantic Cape Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and was working towards a master’s degree in Criminal Justice at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey ¹, pursuing academic research in the area of cyber-crime and cyber-crime victimization¹; and

Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who enjoyed serving others and desired to serve the State, State Trooper Williams earned a place in the 156th class of the New Jersey State Police Academy; and

Whereas, On January 29, 2016, State Trooper Williams graduated from the New Jersey State Police Academy and was assigned to Troop “A” in the Woodstown Station, where he served until being transferred to the Port Norris Station; and

Whereas, During his short career in the State Police, State Trooper Williams was hailed as a leader and role model by his colleagues for his good judgment and thoughtful approach to his duties; and

Whereas, On December 5, 2016, State Trooper Williams tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident on State Route 55 ¹near milepost 22.2¹ in the City of Millville, New Jersey, while on duty responding to an incident; and

Whereas, State Trooper Williams was a dedicated member of the State Police as well as a loving husband and son whose memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow State troopers; 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 Frankie Williams by designating a portion of ¹[United States Highway Route 322 in Atlantic County] State Highway Route 55¹ as the “State Trooper Frankie ¹L.¹ Williams Memorial Highway”; 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 ¹[United States Highway Route 322, extending from milepost 32.81 to milepost 50.09, in Atlantic County] State Highway Route 55, extending from milepost 20.0 to milepost 23.0,¹ as the “State Trooper Frankie ¹L.¹ Williams Memorial Highway” 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 State Highway Route 55 as “State Trooper Frankie L. Williams Memorial Highway.”