STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman ANDREW ZWICKER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Assemblyman ROY FREIMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Lopez
SYNOPSIS
Designates portion of State Highway Route 27 in Princeton as "Patrolman Billie D. Ellis Memorial Highway."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee with technical review.
An Act designating the portion of State Highway Route 27 in the municipality of Princeton, in the county of Mercer, as the "Patrolman Billie D. Ellis Memorial Highway."
Whereas, Patrolman Billie D. Ellis was an extraordinary public servant who served the people of his community as a patrolman on the Princeton Police Department; and
Whereas, On August 19, 1955, Patrick Maloney and Kenneth Werkman, Jr., both 15 years of age, embarked on a canoe trip near the dam separating the Millstone River from Lake Carnegie in the municipality of Princeton; and
Whereas, The effects of Hurricane Diane caused water to pour over the Lake Carnegie Dam, resulting in swirling rapids that caused the boat carrying the two young men to capsize; and
Whereas, While off duty, Patrolman Ellis responded to a radio call about the two young men in distress, arrived on the scene, boarded a row boat along with other officers, and set out for the dam; and
Whereas, Due to the extreme turbulence in the waters, Patrolman Ellis became separated from his boat while attempting to save the young men; and
Whereas, On that day, Patrolman Ellis and the two young men tragically perished in the surging water; and
Whereas, Patrolman Ellis was survived by his wife, Barbara, his sons Robert and Gary, and his daughter Sally, who was born after his death; and
Whereas, Although the details of Patrolman Ellis's untimely death are troubling, those events serve as a reminder of the heroism and bravery of Patrolman Ellis, who at his own peril provided aid to those in distress, and of those officers who heroically serve and protect the public; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that Patrolman Billie D. Ellis be remembered by designating the portion of State Highway Route 27 in the municipality of Princeton in his memory; 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 27, extending from milepost 0 to milepost 3.04, in the municipality of Princeton as the “Patrolman Billie D. Ellis 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, 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.