House panel OKs plans that honor two fallen officers

HELENA - The House Transportation Committee on Wednesday unanimously passed bills naming portions of U.S. 2 in honor of fallen Montana Highway Patrol troopers David Graham and Evan F. Schneider.

"Today this is largely personal," said patrol Cmdr. Col. Mike Tooley. "This is an opportunity to honor two of my fallen brothers."

The bills, HB 304 and HB 311, propose the naming of U.S. 2 between Kalispell and Columbia Falls as the Trooper David Graham memorial highway, and U.S. 2 between Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse as the Trooper Evan F. Schneider memorial highway.

The bills were sent to the full House, where they could be heard as early as next week, without debate or opposition.

Before voting, committee members heard about the troopers from state officials and family members.

"Every time he put on his uniform [he did it] with intense pride," said Genny Graham, wife of David Graham.

Graham, 36, was killed in the line of duty Oct. 9, 2007, after his squad car was struck head-on by a pickup that crossed the center turn lane on U.S. 2 north of Reserve Drive.

He was performing routine traffic patrol.

Graham, who died on his "favorite stretch or road to work," was always ready with a helping hand and dedicated to protecting Flathead County's highways, Genny Graham said.

Graham's brother, Victor Nelson, remembered a man who always gave 100 percent and talked about how much he missed his sibling.

"I think it's a real appropriate thing that David have his name there," he said.

Less than a year after Graham was killed, Schneider died in an crash on U.S. 2 near Bad Rock Canyon.

According to investigators, Schneider was following a light-colored, possibly white, small to mid-sized car Aug. 28, 2008, when it drifted almost completely into the oncoming lane of traffic - forcing an oncoming pickup to swerve onto the shoulder and its driver to lose control.

The pickup veered back onto the highway and across the center line into eastbound traffic, striking Schneider's patrol car head-on at highway speed.

"Evan gave his life that day to save someone else's," said Jim Lynch, director of the Montana Department of Transportation, who also spoke in favor of the bill naming a portion of U.S. 2 after Graham.

Lt. Gov. John Bollinger and Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock also spoke before the committee on behalf of both troopers.

"They didn't go where it was quiet," Bullock said. "They went where they knew they were needed."

Schneider was remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his community.

"He was dedicated to his career and worked hard to be the best in every aspect of his job," said Schneider's mother, Rebecca Sturdevant.

Schneider, like Graham, didn't think of himself as a hero, but that is what they were, the committee heard.