BIG SPRING, TX – The dedication of the Trooper Troy Hogue Memorial Highway was held in Big Spring on Friday afternoon by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Many members of the Big Spring community gather with them at the Hangar 25 Air Museum to honor fallen officer Trooper Troy Hogue, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 30, 1994.
According to Jose Sanchez, Regional Director, WTX Region, Trooper Hogue was killed while assisting with an investigation involving a juvenile that had been detained by the Big Spring Police Department. While on the scene, the juvenile shot and killed Trooper Hogue. The juvenile was taken into custody and charged with Capital Murder and is serving life in prison. Trooper Hogue was survived by his wife, daughter, son, and two sisters.
The Trooper Troy Hogue Memorial Highway runs along I-20 East coming into Big Spring near mile marker 172 and continues through Big Spring.
Texas DPS Sgt. Steven Blanco said that the memorial honors the memory of Troy Hogue, brings public awareness to the first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It also highlights the mission of the department and the associations to memorialize each one of the officers lost by placing a road sign on a section of highway to honor their memory moving forward.
Jennifer McGuire, daughter of Trooper Hogue, told KBest News that she thought it was awesome that her father was being remembered long after he passed.
“It just means a lot to our family that his name will be there and people might look him up and read about him and he won’t be forgotten,” she continued.
McGuire currently lives in Missouri with her husband and two daughters, ages 4 and 6. She brought them with her for the dedication so they could learn about their grandpa and was touched to see a large turnout.
When asked why it took so long to receive the memorial highway for Trooper Hogue, Sgt. Blanco said it was unfortunate but it takes time to raise money for the road sign, which costs approximately $30,000 – $40,000. Sgt. Blanco explained that department funds cannot be used to pay for it. Fundraising for these signs comes from the DPS Foundation, DPS Officers Association, Texas State Trooper Foundation, and donations from the public. Moving forward there is a House Bill that will allow the public to donate $1 or more when they renew their driver’s license or registration. Sgt. Blanco stated that he hopes the public will support the bill moving forward.
(Photo: Jennifer McGuire, daughter of Trooper Troy Hogue, stands with the memorial signage with her husband and their two daughters.)
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