Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 74
CHAPTER 2

Relative to the Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge.

[ Filed with Secretary of State  January 18, 2024. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SCR 74, Nguyen. Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge.
This measure would designate the Aliso Creek Bridge on State Highway Route 1 in the County of Orange as the Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources to cover that cost, to erect those signs.
Fiscal Committee: YES  
WHEREAS, Jon Steven Coutchie was born on October 2, 1971, in Tucson, Arizona and, shortly thereafter, moved with his family to southern California; and
WHEREAS, After his distinguished service in the military and his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Jon realized that he wanted to continue his service to the public and applied for a part-time jailer position with the Laguna Beach Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Jon showed great enthusiasm for his job and excelled with each assignment; and
WHEREAS, Seeing Jon’s great potential, the Laguna Beach Police Department sponsored Jon through the Goldenwest Police Academy in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Jon successfully completed his police officer training in March 2009 and, upon his graduation, was immediately sworn in as a Laguna Beach police officer; and
WHEREAS, Jon showed a passion for traffic issues and displayed expertise in accident investigation; and
WHEREAS, Following this interest, Jon applied and was selected for a coveted motor officer position with the Laguna Beach Police Department in March 2013; and
WHEREAS, On the evening of September 21, 2013, while traveling northbound on the Pacific Coast Highway in an attempt to locate a vehicle that was being driven recklessly and that had eluded another officer, Jon was involved in a collision that took his life; and
WHEREAS, One of the responding officers, upon seeing Jon had not survived the collision, draped an American flag over his body, which is an honor befitting a hero who had served his country and his community; and
WHEREAS, The Laguna Beach Police Department will forever miss and love Jon; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Police Officer Jon S. Coutchie’s service to this country and the City of Laguna Beach, it would be fitting to designate the Aliso Creek Bridge in his honor; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the Aliso Creek Bridge, Bridge Number 55-0003, on State Highway Route 1, in the County of Orange, at post mile 6.49, as the Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge; and be it further
Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of erecting appropriate signs, consistent with the signage requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.