Bridge dedicated in memory of Cedar Falls trooper - KWWL

A Cedar Falls state trooper killed in the line of duty nearly three decades ago is being honored for his sacrifice.  The Cedar River bridge on Interstate 380 and Highway 20 is now named in honor of Trooper Charlie Whitney. 

Whitney died in June 1985 when he was hit by an oncoming car during a traffic stop on I-380 near Evansdale.  He was within two weeks of retirement.

Dozens of family and friends gathered for a ceremony in Whitney's honor Wednesday in Cedar Falls.

The Iowa State Patrol says the bridge memorial is long overdue and serves as a constant reminder of both police service and highway safety.

"It lets the public know every time they drive that stretch of road, kind of remember, 'Hey, there's a trooper that was killed here.  Maybe we need to slow down.  Maybe we need to pay a little more attention to what we're doing.  And maybe we need to be a little more thankful for those people like myself and other people out there doing the job, because it's not easy and it's a little dangerous,'" said Trooper Mark Sigwurth with the Iowa State Patrol.

Ten bridges are being dedicated this year across the state in honor of fallen troopers.