Section of Arizona I-10 dedicated for fallen La Paz County Sgt. Mike Rudd | Local News Stories
In honor of the La Paz County sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty, Interstate 10 in the county was named after him. The highway was named La Paz County Sheriff’s Sergeant. A sign marking the Michael Rudd Memorial Highway and this designation was recently installed by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
These signs were dedicated in a ceremony on May 15 near one of the Ehrenberg East signs. County No. 2 Superintendent Duce Minor said he wanted the ceremony on May 15 to be held like the National Peace Officer’s Day.
La Paz County Sheriff Sergeant Michael Rudd.
Photo provided
Another sign is near Milepost 71, the eastern boundary of La Paz County.
Among those in attendance at the May 15 dedication ceremony were a number of county and city officials, including county deputy superintendents Dave Plunkett and Holly Irwin. Also present were Sheriff Will Ponce and Rudd’s widow Amanda. The crowd included Rudd’s family and friends, as well as a number of law enforcement officers.
Minor said he heard ADOT had signed up a week before May 15, and thanked everyone who attended. He added that he does not know how many people will be able to attend.
Amanda Rudd also thanked everyone who attended. She expressed her gratitude to the various organizations that helped rename the highway. She especially thanked Mr. Alberto Gutierz of La Paz County, Parker Municipality and Quartzsite Municipality, Road Safety Governor’s Office.
Sergeant Rudd was fatally injured in a chase accident on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite on October 11, 2021. He became the first deputy of La Paz County to be martyred.
Miner said the county wanted to do something in Rudd’s honor and the idea was proposed to build Interstate 10 in his name within the county. They first contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation and were referred to the Commission on Geographical and Historical Names, a division of the Arizona State Library.
“We said we would never forget,” Miner said.
The Supervisory Board approved a resolution calling for the name change at its February 7, 2022 meeting. The Supervisory Board submitted a formal change request on February 14, 2022, including resolutions. The towns of Parker and Quartzsite have submitted resolutions of support, and letters of support have been received from Rep. Leo Biasiucci, US Rep.
In the resolution, regulators said Rudd had distinguished himself as a dedicated civil servant, reaching the rank of sergeant and saving a woman’s life when her RV was engulfed in flames. He had a lot of interaction with the community and was a law enforcement officer that the whole community could be proud of.
The Arizona Commission on Geographical Historical Names approved the name change at its January 24, 2023 meeting.
The Geographical and Historic Names Commission was established in 1982 to determine the best and most appropriate names for geographic and historic features in the state. Its duties are covered under ARS 41-835 to 838.
The Commission will consider, upon application to the Commission, the name or renaming of any geographic feature and historic site within the state, along with documentation supporting the name and a map showing the location of the feature or place. .
