Roadway dedications to fallen FHP Troopers: Dec. 1 - I-75 Alachua County & Dec. 2 - US 19 Dixie County
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, 10:00 am
Fallen FHP Master Sergeant William T. Bishop
On Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 10:00 am, a Roadway Dedication Ceremony will be held at the Florida Highway Patrol Station, located at 6300 NW 13th St. in Gainesville to name a portion of Interstate 75, between mile marker 399 and mile marker 404 in Alachua County, in remembrance of fallen Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Master Sergeant William T. Bishop.
Master Sergeant Bishop was a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, serving the citizens and visitors of Florida for thirty years. He began his career with the FHP on January 13, 1987 as a member of the 78th Recruit Class in Tallahassee. His duty stations included Brooksville, Marianna, Lake City and Gainesville.
On Saturday, June 17, 2017, while conducting a traffic crash investigation on Interstate 75 near the 403 mile marker, Master Sergeant Bishop was struck by a southbound vehicle. Shortly after he was transported to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
“Paying tribute to Master Sergeant Bishop by naming a portion of Interstate 75 in his honor is a great tribute,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Master Sergeant Bishop was dedicated to serving the residents and visitors of this state as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper, and the ultimate sacrifice he paid is well deserving of this recognition.
Cross City (Dixie County), Florida
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, 2:00 pm
Fallen FHP Patrolman Royston E. Walker
On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 2:00 pm, a Roadway Dedication Ceremony will be held at the Florida Highway Patrol Station, located at 16106 SE Hwy. 19 in Cross City, to name a portion of US Hwy. 19, between County Road 351 A and SW 307th Avenue in Dixie County, in remembrance of fallen FHP Patrolman Royston E. Walker.
Born in 1909, Patrolman Walker was the son of then Levy County Sheriff Robert Walker. Prior to joining the State Road Department in March of 1936. Patrolman Walker served honorably in the US Navy. In February 1936, he attended a four-week long Training Academy in Ft Myers. Upon completion of that training, he was assigned to patrol duties in North Central Florida. Patrolman Walker was assigned a motorcycle to carry out his duties and responsibilities.
On the evening of August 31, 1936, Patrolman Walker stopped a truck, occupied by three men, for faulty headlights in Cross City. It is not clear what enforcement action was taken during that initial encounter. On the same evening, Patrolman Walker conducted a second and subsequent traffic stop of the same vehicle. During the second encounter, a confrontation between the driver of the vehicle and Patrolman Walker took place. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped and was informed by Walker that he was going to be taken to the Dixie County Jail.
Prior to arriving at the jail, a gun battle erupted between the driver of the vehicle and Patrolman Walker. During the exchange of gunfire, Patrolman Walker was struck multiple times and succumbed to his injuries, but not before he returned fire and killed his assailant.
Patrolman Walker had served the residents of Florida for a mere five months prior to his fatal encounter. At the time of his death, he was 27 years old and was survived by his wife, Lillian Walker.
“Paying tribute to Patrolman Walker by naming a portion of US 19 in his honor is a great tribute,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Patrolman Walker was dedicated to serving the residents and visitors of this state as a Pioneer State Law Enforcement Officer, and the ultimate sacrifice he paid is well deserving of this recognition.”