This bridge is dedicated to the first female Ontario Provincial Police officer to be killed in the line of duty in 2000. She was struck by a passing tractor-trailer.
From the Ministry of Transporation website (December 2006):
CHATHAM, ON, Dec. 19 /CNW/ - Ontario Transportation Minister Donna
Cansfield today dedicated two Chatham area bridges in honour of Ontario Provincial Police officers Sergeant Margaret Eve and Senior Constable Jim McFadden, who were killed in the line of duty.
"These officers lost their lives ensuring the safety of Ontario roads," said Cansfield. "I'm proud to officially dedicate these bridges in their memory on behalf of the Government of Ontario."
The bridge over Highway 401 at Chatham-Kent Road 7 (Merlin Road) has been dedicated the Senior Constable James C. McFadden Memorial Bridge and the Highway 40 bridge over Highway 401 has been dedicated the Sergeant Margaret J. Eve Memorial Bridge.
These dedications were prompted by the passage of the Highway Memorials for Fallen Police Officers Act, 2002, a private member's Bill introduced by Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci.
"Chatham area residents will cross these bridges and be reminded of the officers who gave their lives protecting this community," said
Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Pat Hoy.
Senior Constable Jim McFadden, who served as a police officer for more
than 25 years, was on traffic patrol when he was struck and killed
December 31, 1999, after pulling over a speeding car.
Sergeant Margaret Eve was killed when she and her partners were struck by a passing truck on June 7, 2000. Sergeant Eve was a 15-year veteran of the OPP and an integral part of the Western Region traffic team. She was the first female OPP officer to die in the line of duty.
"Ontario's police officers serve their communities with honour and
distinction," said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter. "Dedicating these bridges honours their families and ensures we will never forget the sacrifice these officers made on behalf of Ontario."
"We owe these officers a great deal," said OPP Commissioner Julian
Fantino. "Sergeant Eve and Senior Constable McFadden left behind a legacy of commitment, dedication, and service that we will never forget."
In 2005, the Bonnechere River Bridge on Highway 17 in Renfrew County was dedicated as the Philip Shrive Memorial Bridge, in memory of Senior Constable Philip Shrive of the Ontario Provincial Police. This November, Minister Cansfield dedicated bridges in the Sudbury area to two Sudbury Regional Police Services officers killed in the line of duty.
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