Effort to memorialize a 24-year-old woman killed in the line of duty six years ago in Monroe County is one step closer to happening.
On June 4, 2020, Monroe County Animal Control Officer Darrian Young was killed when her vehicle was hit by an intoxicated driver.
The Michigan Senate passed a bill July 3 that would rename part of Highway M-50 in Monroe County “Animal Control Officer Darrian Young Memorial Highway.” It’s now on its way to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office to be signed into law.
“I have been working on this road renaming for three and a half years, and finally I requested it become a part of the budget negotiations,” said Rep. William Bruck, who introduced the bill. “Which allowed it to be elevated enough to get the attention of the senate.”
“We are grateful to everyone who helped get this legislation across the finish line,” said Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough.
Monroe County Circuit Judge Michael A. Weipert sentenced Michele Ann Dropulich, 47, of Hudson to serve 17 to 30 years in prison in August 2021 on a second-degree murder conviction that was the result of the fatal drunken-driving crash that claimed Young’s life.
“Animal Control Officer Darrian Young was an enthusiastic public servant and animal lover who died far too soon,” said Sen. Joe Bellino. “It’s tragic when someone so full of life dies so early and unexpectedly. Six years after the loss of Deputy Young, we are finally sending the governor legislation to help our community honor her service to the people of Monroe County and remember her sacrifice.”
— Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Michigan Senate passes bill to memorialize Monroe County officer
Reporting by Connor Veenstra, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Connor Veenstra, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
