By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The Henry County Commission Monday night unanimously passed a resolution asking the state of Tennessee to name Hwy. 69A between Paris and Big Sandy the “Sonny Melton Memorial Highway” in honor of the Big Sandy man who was killed in the Las Vegas mass shooting.
The resolution was recommended by Commissioner David Webb who said, “Sonny Melton’s compelling story of heroism has grabbed peoples’ attention from Melton’s Fillin’ Station in Big Sandy to Buckingham Palace in London and beyond.”
Webb noted that Melton was the first publicly-identified casualty of the mass shooting “and he quickly became the first face of a national tragedy reported worldwide. It is fitting that this highway in particular that literally connects the Big Sandy and Paris communities, who continue to share the shock and sorrow of this hometown hero, be named the Sonny Melton Memorial Highway.”
Melton was with his wife, Dr. Heather Gulish, at the concert when he was killed. Melton was an RN and both he and his wife worked at Henry County Medical Center. Melton shielded his wife, along with another woman, from the shooting.
The Benton County Commissioners also are considering a resolution which would name Hwy. 69A within Benton County after Melton.
County Mayor Brent Greer noted the resolution is non-binding. “All we are doing at this time is asking the state to consider this. We are not authorized to change the name of a state highway.”
Webb and Greer noted the highway would still be Hwy. 69A and that no addresses on it would change.
In other business during Monday night’s commission meeting, the panel approved a $525,000 capital outlay note: $400,000 to continue the sheriff office’s purchase program for new motor vehicles, and $125,000 for roof repairs to the Central Community Service Center.
Belew’s request to the county budget committee last week was forwarded to the full commission and will continue the program begun four years ago to purchase and replenish motor vehicles in the sheriff department on a continual basis.
The department purchased 13 new vehicles four years ago and would be purchasing some 11 to 12 this time out. Vehicles currently used by patrol officers would be given to school resource officers and other personnel who ordinarily do not use vehicles as much.
Belew noted this is the second phase of the purchase plan, which he described as a win-win situation. “It’s been successful for us and this will serve us for four more years.”
Photo: Sheriff Monte Belew makes a presentation to the commission on the vehicle purchase program. (McFarlin photo).
Webb noted that Melton was the first publicly-identified casualty of the mass shooting “and he quickly became the first face of a national tragedy reported worldwide. It is fitting that this highway in particular that literally connects the Big Sandy and Paris communities, who continue to share the shock and sorrow of this hometown hero, be named the Sonny Melton Memorial Highway.”
Melton was with his wife, Dr. Heather Gulish, at the concert when he was killed. Melton was an RN and both he and his wife worked at Henry County Medical Center. Melton shielded his wife, along with another woman, from the shooting.
The Benton County Commissioners also are considering a resolution which would name Hwy. 69A within Benton County after Melton.
County Mayor Brent Greer noted the resolution is non-binding. “All we are doing at this time is asking the state to consider this. We are not authorized to change the name of a state highway.”
Webb and Greer noted the highway would still be Hwy. 69A and that no addresses on it would change.
In other business during Monday night’s commission meeting, the panel approved a $525,000 capital outlay note: $400,000 to continue the sheriff office’s purchase program for new motor vehicles, and $125,000 for roof repairs to the Central Community Service Center.
Belew’s request to the county budget committee last week was forwarded to the full commission and will continue the program begun four years ago to purchase and replenish motor vehicles in the sheriff department on a continual basis.
The department purchased 13 new vehicles four years ago and would be purchasing some 11 to 12 this time out. Vehicles currently used by patrol officers would be given to school resource officers and other personnel who ordinarily do not use vehicles as much.
Belew noted this is the second phase of the purchase plan, which he described as a win-win situation. “It’s been successful for us and this will serve us for four more years.”
Photo: Sheriff Monte Belew makes a presentation to the commission on the vehicle purchase program. (McFarlin photo).