Right now Missouri is again under assault by Mother Nature, as floods ravage portions of our state. As acting Governor this past week, I oversaw initial relief efforts while working to ensure that our response was swift and efficient.

But I want to take a moment of your time today to ask you to reflect on the men and women of Missouri’s law enforcement community who protect and serve us.

Yesterday, I signed into law several bills to rename Missouri bridges and highways in honor of Missouri law enforcement officers. Those roads are:

• House Bill 1575, sponsored by Rep. Kenny Jones, designates a four-mile portion of State Highway 87 south from the intersection of State Route AA in Moniteau County as the Lance Corporal Leon B. Deraps Memorial Highway.
• House Bill 1887, sponsored by Rep. Michael Parson, designates a portion of State Highway 13 from the intersection of State Highway 83 to the intersection of State Route Y in Polk County as the Rick Seiner Memorial Highway.
• House Bill 1952, sponsored by Rep. Tom Loehner, designates the bridge over the Gasconade River on U.S. Highway 63 in Maries County as the Roy Bassett Memorial Bridge.
• House Bill 2360, sponsored by Rep. Jim Guest, designates one-mile portion of State Highway 169 south from the city limits of King City in Gentry County as the Mo. Hwy. Patrol Corporal Henry C. Bruns Memorial Highway.
• In addition to the legislation I signed yesterday, I also recognized legislation designating a bridge on State Highway 39 at Table Rock in Shell Knob as the State Senator Larry Gene Taylor Memorial Bridge, a portion of Interstate 55 in Jefferson County Jeff McBride Memorial Highway, and a portion of Interstate 44 in St. Louis County as the Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway.

As you drive home from work today, perhaps you’ll drive across one of those bridges or roads. When you do, I hope you’ll take the time to reflect on the service of those for whom that road is now named.

Crises come and go, yet life goes on. But it’s crucial that we remember duty, service, and heroism when we witness it. It’s an example for the rest of us – and a challenge to follow.