Bill Text: CA ACR119 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Officer Justin Kepler Memorial Highway.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-09-14 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 38, Statutes of 2020. [ACR119 Detail]
Download: California-2019-ACR119-Chaptered.html
Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 119
CHAPTER 38
Relative to Officer Justin Kepler Memorial Highway.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 14, 2020.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 119, Flora.
Officer Justin Kepler Memorial Highway.
This measure would designate a specified portion of State Route 120 in the County of San Joaquin as the Officer Justin Kepler Memorial Highway. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: YESBill Text
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler was born on April 13, 1988, in San Jose, California, to Terry and Rhonda Kepler; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler excelled in academics. At the age of 14, he passed the California High School Proficiency Examination and received his high school diploma; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler went on to attend Modesto Junior College, where despite having talents and interests that included music, language, and auto mechanics, he received an emergency medical technician (EMT) certification and studied criminal justice to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler grew up in a family of law enforcement. His father, uncle, and cousins were police officers for the San Jose Police Department. Justin wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, as did his brothers, who both are currently California Highway Patrol officers; and
WHEREAS, On April 16, 2012, Justin Kepler was hired by the Stockton Police Department and attended the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium academy in the City of San Mateo, California; and
WHEREAS, On September 27, 2012, Justin Kepler was sworn in as a Stockton police officer by the Chief of Police of the Stockton Police Department, Eric Jones; and
WHEREAS, During his four-year career as a police officer, Justin Kepler obtained the status of field training officer and specialized in impaired driving enforcement. Justin absolutely loved his career and was proud to follow in the footsteps of his father and older brother; and
WHEREAS, On August 20, 2016, Justin Kepler, 28, was riding his personal motorcycle home on State Route 120 from the City of Manteca, California, where, upon approaching the intersection at Brennan Road in the City of Escalon, he was hit by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and thrown approximately 35 feet. The driver of the SUV fled the scene without reporting the accident, and Justin died on the scene; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler was an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and an excellent police officer; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler excelled at many things in life. He was a skilled musician, mastering the guitar and violin; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler loved playing with his dogs, Lady and Remi, who miss Justin very much; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler loved relaxing on his days off by playing video games, shooting, working on his motorcycle, and being with his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler enjoyed being a prankster and making people laugh, and was known by many for his humble approach to life and calm presence; and
WHEREAS, Justin Kepler is survived by his mother, Rhonda, older brother, Kyle, younger brother, Cody (Beth), and sister, Shelley. Justin Kepler is preceded in death by his father, Terry Kepler, his paternal grandmother, Helen Kepler, and his grandfather, Donald McDowell; now, therefore be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates a portion of State Route 120 in both directions between Sexton and Brennan Roads (segment SJ 120 14.834 - SJ 15.860) in the County of San Joaquin as the “Officer Justin Kepler Memorial Highway”; and be it further
Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of erecting the appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the cost, to erect those signs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.
