Deputy Daryl Smallwood Memorial Bridge; Peach County; dedicate
Summary
Senate Resolution 414 is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and service of Deputy Daryl Wayne Smallwood and formally dedicating a bridge in his memory. The resolution recounts his service in the United States Marine Corps and his law enforcement career with the Dooly County, Crisp County, and Peach County Sheriff's Offices, emphasizing his integrity, professionalism, and dedication to public safety. It also notes that he was killed in November 2016 while responding to a neighbor dispute call.
The resolution specifically designates the bridge on State Route 247 over Interstate 75 in Peach County as the Deputy Daryl Smallwood Memorial Bridge. It directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs marking the dedication and authorizes distribution of copies of the resolution to his family and the department. As a memorial measure, it does not create a regulatory program or alter criminal, transportation, or local government policy beyond the bridge naming and signage directive.
Impact
SR414 has a limited legal effect: it changes the official designation of one state-owned bridge in Peach County and instructs the Department of Transportation to install and maintain memorial signage. It does not amend the Georgia Code in a substantive policy area, but it does impose a small administrative duty on the state transportation agency and creates an official memorial recognition for Deputy Smallwood.
Sentiment
The tone of the resolution is uniformly respectful and supportive, reflecting a strong consensus in favor of honoring Deputy Smallwood’s service and sacrifice. Because the measure is commemorative rather than policy-driven, there is no evident partisan or substantive opposition in the provided record, and the bill’s language is entirely laudatory. The available context includes no committee debate or recorded votes, suggesting the resolution likely moved without controversy.
Contention
No notable policy contention appears in the text or available legislative history. The only potentially relevant issue is the symbolic use of state resources for bridge signage and memorial designation, but the resolution presents that action as a fitting tribute to a fallen law enforcement officer. There is no indication of disagreement over the honoree, the location of the bridge, or the Department of Transportation’s role.