Caltrans Honor's fallen workers who were killed in the service

On Wednesday morning, Caltrans District 1 organized an event for event and recalled motorway workers who had lost their lives on duty. 194 Caltrans workers have been killed in the job since 1921, 17 in District 1, Das Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.

Caltran's District 1 was lucky enough to experience no deaths this year, but other Caltrans districts were not so lucky.

“It is always a special memorial for us, here in District 1, if we don't have to mourn for another cone for our ceremony,” said Tom Fitzgerald, deputy director of Caltrans. “Of course Caltrans is a nationwide family, and we definitely mourn District 12 for the loss of the Caltran device operator Alexander Rodish.”

Annette Brooks was the last district 1 who died on duty. Brooks died in a tragic incident with violence at the 2017 workplace, and Caltrans recently recalled with the inauguration of the Annette Brooks Memorial Bridge on Highway 101 near Rio Dell.

“It is always a painful thing to be in these workers' monuments and see the family and friends appearing, and the tears that flow from all the feelings from the loss of a loved one, and that is why we want to talk about what we do and how we do it and make sure that we act in a safe way …” Caltrans District 1 Director Matt Brady.

Brady noted that the state was working towards a vision zero goal of having no deaths on California roads by 2050 (the state is currently experiencing 12 streets every day). He offered Caltran's workers tips and warned of the dangers of the distracted and impaired driving.

Caltrans held his nationwide monument in Sacramento last month. The youngest Caltrans worker who loses her life in duty was Rodish from District 12, who died in July 2024 when he worked on Interstate 5 in San Clement.

Alexander Rodish

The incumbent maintenance director Bobi Hettick, a 30-year-old veteran of Caltrans, spoke at this Wednesday service on Wednesday. She said Rodish had joined Caltrans in the property of an entry-level service assistant (maintenance) by the Caltrans Clean California program and quickly rose in his three-year career. She said Rodish found a family in Caltrans and became the agency's evangelist to get friends and family to get meaningful work through Caltrans.

“When (Rodish's sister) looked through his computer after her twin brother disappeared, she found out that he worked with about 20 different people and helped them to find out how to deal with state applications – because he wanted people to get Caltrans to work for Caltrans. He knew that this was a place where one could make a difference,” said Hettick. “… he was a cheerleader. He was always happy. He had to work early. He went late. He was looking for extra. He studied.”

“It really takes courage to work on the jobs that we do on the street,” said Hettick.

Esprit de Corps

Lieutenant Gabe Parker, CHP commander in Ukiah Area, informed the crowd that CHP and Caltrans share the dangers and the mission to protect the drivers. He described the partnership of the two agencies as “symbiotic”.

“In the CHP academy we learn the merits of 'Esprit de Corps'. Essentially appreciate, protecting, supporting and – above all – the back of our fellow jack officials,” said Parker. “In my modest opinion, I believe that the value of the Esprit de Corps exceeds the limits of our agency and incorporates our brothers and sisters into Caltrans.”

“… our brothers and sisters in Caltrans, their commitment – and ultimately their victims – contributed to the safety of the road for our citizens,” said Parker and thanked Caltrans employees, who have remained for “vigilant and committed”.

Prioritization of security on our streets

The construction manager of Caltrans North Region, Sebastian Cohen, spoke about the need to stay vigilant about security.

He pointed out how there is dozens of “narrow information” for every death that Caltrans experienced, which have psychological effects. “After decades and decades in which they did their job,” he said, “it is amazing what some of us have seen.”

Cohen said he got to know Humboldt County Supervisor Michelle Bushnell well.

Bushnell said that Caltrans “served as a lifeline for transport, security, economy and the emergency reaction of the region”. She said that the work of the agency on Highway 101 and SR 36, 96 and 299 is of essential importance for the district, and that the agency's cooperation with the superiors and with the district's department for public work in the district is “absolutely critical”.