Two sections of Florida roadways were officially renamed last week in remembrance of Florida Highway Patrol troopers who died in the line of duty.
The roadway designations were unveiled to honor the service and sacrifice of Master Sgt. William Trampas Bishop and Patrolman Royston Earl Walker.
Bishop served the residents of Florida from Jan. 13, 1987, until his death on June 17, 2017. He was investigating a traffic crash on Interstate 75 when he was struck and killed by a southbound vehicle.
Bishop, 52, was survived by his wife Lisa and his son, Trampas Jr. A section of I-75 between mile marker 399 and mile marker 404 in Alachua County was dedicated in remembrance of Bishop.
Walker served the residents of Florida for five months. He joined the Florida State Road Department Traffic Division in early 1936 and trained in Fort Myers in February 1936. Upon completion of the four-week training school, Walker reported to Tallahassee and was inspected by then-Gov. Dave Sholtz.
Walker was subsequently assigned to the area of North Central Florida. He was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle with faulty headlights in Cross City. Walker was 27 at the time of his death and was survived by his wife, Lillian. A portion of U.S. Highway 19 between County Road 351A and S.W. 307th Avenue in Dixie County was dedicated in remembrance of Walker.
“The brave men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol put themselves in harm’s way daily to keep our roadways and those who travel them safe. I was proud to sponsor legislation honoring our fallen troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Sen. Lauren Book. “With these designations, our first responders will know that their sacrifice and heroism will never be forgotten by Floridians.”
Rep. Chuck Bowman said, “It was my privilege to sponsor this legislation so that we can permanently honor those troopers who have given their lives in defense of all we hold dear. It is my hope that the motoring public will always remember their sacrifices as they pass by these markers on our state highways.”
“Paying respect to Master Sgt. Bishop and Patrolman Walker by naming a portion of our roadways in their honor is a great tribute,” said Col. Gene S. Spaulding, FHP director. “I would like to thank the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis for ensuring the sacrifices of our fallen heroes are memorialized.”
The ceremony for Bishop was held Tuesday at the FHP office in Gainesville, and the ceremony for Walker was held Wednesday at the FHP office in Cross City. At both ceremonies, family members, FHP leadership and state leaders gathered to pay tribute and unveil the roadway signs honoring the troopers.