‘Sam Strahan Memorial Highway’ gains support of Spokane Valley City Council

An online petition to rename a section of state Route 27 to the “Sam Strahan Memorial Highway” has garnered more than 7,000 signatures and the support of Spokane Valley City Council.

Mayor Rod Higgins, on behalf of City Council, sent Washington Gov. Jay Inslee a letter Tuesday supporting the petition in honor of Sam Strahan, a victim of the Freeman High School shooting in September.

“Sam Strahan was a heroic victim,” said Higgins in a statement. “We hope this change will be a constant reminder to all those who travel this stretch of road to remember this young man who loved his family and loved life, and in attempting to aid others, was taken from us.”

The petition proposes renaming the section of state Route 27 that travels south from 32nd Avenue in Spokane Valley through Freeman to East Elder Road.

Brad Miller, a DJ at Kiss 98.1 radio station, initiated the effort to gather petition signatures.

“It’s something that would shake any community to its core, but in one as small and close-knit as Freeman, it truly impacts everyone,” the petition said. “This is why we would like to join not only Freeman, but the surrounding communities, as we create something that will remind us of Sam Strahan and his bravery for years to come.”