Portion of road to be named after Dennis McNamara
UPPER DARBY >> Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to sign a bill that will rename a portion of a Drexel Hill road in honor of fallen Upper Darby Police Officer Dennis McNamara.
Lansdowne Avenue from School Lane to State Road will be recognized as the Officer Dennis McNamara Memorial Highway after the measure unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday morning on its third and final vote. It passed the House in June.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Jamie Santora, R-163, of Upper Darby, was happy to hear the bill would become law after the Senate’s vote.
“It means a lot because he made the ultimate sacrifice for our community,” said Santora. “He should be honored for eternity for doing that. There’s no greater sacrifice that someone can make than giving their own life.”
McNamara was an over eight-year veteran of the Upper Darby police force when he was shot to death in the township’s Cardington section on Jan. 30, 2002. The highway designation on Lansdowne was decided on as it runs along Arlington Cemetery, where McNamara is interred.
“When they honor him every year people will be driving on the Officer Dennis McNamara Memorial Highway to go to that ceremony,” said Santora.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Mike Chitwood said it’s a great honor for McNamara and his family.
“He was a true hero shot and killed in the line of duty. This is just the way of recognizing him and maintaining his name and commitment to the Upper Darby community forever,” said Chitwood.
Given the volatility of police and community relations, Chitwood said it’s always important to honor fallen officers.
“I think anytime you would name anything after a fallen officer is important whether it’s today or three years ago or 20 years from now. It shows what police work’s about,” he said. Two signs will be placed on the highway as designation markers.
The bill takes effect 60 days after Wolf signs it.