Overpass may be renamed in honor of Spokane County deputy killed while helping driver last summer

The late Sgt. Ken Salas, and his last act of kindness, may soon be memorialized indefinitely.

Salas’ family, the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Project Committee and the Spokane County Commissioners are requesting the Washington State Transportation Commission to rename the Four Lakes Overpass over I-90 to be renamed to honor Salas.

Salas, 59, was struck by a motorcyclist last August as he assisted a pickup driver with removing a hay bale off the interstate. The 34-year veteran of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office died a month before his retirement. His procession and funeral drew hundreds of public safety officers and members of the public from across the region, with those closest to him describing a compassionate man dedicated to serving the public.

“Both in uniform and out of uniform, Ken was the same man,” Sheriff John Nowels said at Salas’ service. “He was a man of honor, he was a man of integrity, and as has been said before, so even-tempered. I would say that he is a model of what we as a community and what we as a sheriff’s office expect of our peace officers.”

On Tuesday, the Spokane County Commission voted unanimously to send a letter of support for the renaming effort. The letter, like those sent by others involved in the efforts, requests a dedication to occur on Aug. 9, one year from the day Salas died.

The Washington Transportation Commission will have the final say over the proposed renaming, as state law delegates the authority to name or rename state-owned roadways and related facilities to the entity. State law indicates letters of support, like the one approved by the Spokane County commissioners Tuesday should help the cause. The transportation commission looks for community support for proposed renamings when weighing a final decision.