A portion of Interstate 4 in Polk County to be renamed in remembrance of FHP Trooper ~
LAKELAND, Fla. – On October 9th, a portion of Interstate 4 between the 36 and 44 mileposts in Polk County will be renamed in remembrance of fallen Florida Highway Patrol Trooper John C. Hagerty.
Trooper Hagerty was a member of the Florida Highway Patrol who served the citizens of Florida for 13 years. His career with FHP began on October 15, 1956, as a member of the 15th Recruit Class in Tallahassee. His duty stations included Frostproof, Punta Gorda, Stuart, and Orlando. On March 18, 1970, while piloting an FHP traffic aircraft over Interstate 4 near Lakeland, Trooper Hagerty, 44, was struck by a low-flying military aircraft and suffered fatal injuries.
“Paying tribute to Trooper Hagerty by renaming a portion of Interstate 4 in his honor is a great tribute,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Trooper Hagerty was dedicated to serving the residents and visitors of this state as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper, and the ultimate sacrifice he paid is well-deserving of this recognition.”
The ceremony will be held at the Lake Florida Highway Patrol station located at 3247 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805 and will begin at 2:00 PM.
