BILL NUMBER: ACR 135INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bradford MARCH 20, 2012 Relative to the Hawthorne Police Officer Andrew Garton Memorial Highway. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 135, as introduced, Bradford. Hawthorne Police Officer Andrew Garton Memorial Highway. This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 405 in the County of Los Angeles as the Hawthorne Police Officer Andrew Garton Memorial Highway. This measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering those costs, to erect those signs. Fiscal committee: yes. WHEREAS, Police Officer Andrew Garton, a seven-year veteran of the Hawthorne Police Department, died on May 26, 2011, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash during the funeral procession of another fallen officer; and WHEREAS, Officer Garton, 44, is the first Hawthorne officer to die in the line of duty in the department's 89-year history; and WHEREAS, Andrew was born on January 23, 1967, in San Fernando, California, and is a graduate of Antelope Valley High; and WHEREAS, Prior to becoming a police officer, Andrew was a skilled ceramic tile setter. He met his wife, Tracy, in 1989 while installing tile at the house that would eventually become their home; and WHEREAS, Andrew and Tracy married at SeaCoast Grace Church in April 1993, and continued to reside in Orange County; and WHEREAS, Inspired by Sgt. Shawn Shimono, a close friend for over 20 years, Andrew entered the police academy, graduating on February 20, 2004, and became a Hawthorne police officer; and WHEREAS, Andrew served as Vice President of the Hawthorne Police Officer's Association and as Treasurer of the Hawthorne Police Officer's Association Political Action Committee; and WHEREAS, Andrew was a long-time member of the Hawthorne SWAT Team, and an accomplished motor vehicle and traffic investigator; and WHEREAS, Above and beyond the tradition and honor of his profession, Andrew was a devoted husband and father. Andrew and Tracy were a faith-filled loving couple raising two sons, Garrett, 13, and Grant, 8; and WHEREAS, Andrew loved his children and spending time with his family. He was active in both scouting and coaching youth baseball. For those who knew him, he was both a mentor and a friend; and WHEREAS, Camping and motocross riding were great passions for Andrew. He most enjoyed being able to share those moments with his children; and WHEREAS, Andrew is survived by his wife, Tracy, sons, Garrett and Grant, mother, Carole McConnell, father, Gary Garton, and a vast extended family; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Highway Route 405 between Rosecrans Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard, in the County of Los Angeles, as the Hawthorne Police Officer Andrew Garton Memorial Highway; and be it further Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of appropriate signs consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.