The State Senate voted 38-0 today to approve SCR 20, a resolution by Senator Nell Soto (D – Pomona) to designate a portion of State Highway Route 60 as the “CHP Officer Thomas J. Steiner Memorial Highway.”

Steiner, a member of the California Highway Patrol for five years, was wounded mortally a year ago -- April 21, 2004 -- by an armed assailant while leaving the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pomona. Officer Steiner was assigned out of the Santa Fe Springs region.

“Serving as a peace officer is one of the highest vocations of public service, and any individual who accepts this calling is worthy of the highest respect and honor the community, state, and nation can provide,” Soto said. “In his all-too-brief career and life, Officer Steiner made significant contributions to traffic safety and to the motoring public.”

Officer Steiner is survived by his wife, Heidi, his son, Bryan, his stepson, Justin, his mother, Carole Steiner, his father, Ron Steiner, his sister, Julie Sparks, and many beloved family members and friends.

In light of his contributions and sacrifice, this resolution would designate the portion of State Highway Route 60 in the City of Pomona, beginning with Phillips Ranch Road and ending at Reservoir Street.

Soto’s measure also asks that the California Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate plaques and markers showing this designation and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources covering that cost, to erect appropriate plaques and markers. SCR 20 next heads to the Assembly.