Our Opinion: Name freeway after Deputy Carl Howell

We think Carson City resident Steven David’s idea to name the Carson City Freeway after Deputy Carl Howell. It would be an excellent way to honor the deputy who gave his life in the line of duty on Aug. 15.

Howell’s sacrifice during a domestic battery call on Aug. 15 was an example of how one good man can prevent a greater tragedy.

“Not only was he a local deputy, but he is and will always be a U. S. Marine,” David wrote. “Both of these careers were volunteered for. This man was a great American who was willing to stand up for the people of our town as well as the people of the world.”

There’s precedent for naming a state highway after a fallen officer.

Nevada State Trooper Gary Gifford was shot down while trying to stop a bank robbery suspect on Highway 50 at Cave Rock on Oct. 14, 1975.

Gifford, an Incline Village resident, had briefly been chief of the Fallon Police Department. He was the first Nevada Highway Patrol trooper to be killed in the line of duty.

There are only a handful of Nevada highways named after people, including highway worker Patrick Daly, whose name also appears along Highway 50.

We absolutely agree with David Howell is the best example of Nevada law enforcement, as well as the U. S. Marine Corps, and is more than deserving of the honor being one of the few Nevadans to be remembered this way.

We call on Gov. Sandoval and the Nevada Department of Transportation to begin the process to have the Carson City Freeway be named after the brave Carson City deputy.