House OKs bill to honor fallen Wayzata police officer

A measure honoring the sacrifice of a Wayzata police officer killed in the line of duty is headed for Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk.

The House on Thursday passed SF2484 126-0. It proposes to rename a stretch of U.S. Highway 12 as Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highway. Mathews was fatally struck last September by an inattentive motorist while clearing debris from the stretch of roadway that could soon bear his name.

Rep. Jerry Hertaus (R-Greenfield) sponsors the bill in the House. The Senate, where Sen. Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth) is the sponsor, passed the bill 59-0 on April 19.

The legislation would authorize the placement of memorial signs and specifies that funds must come from non-state sources.