Highways dedicated to Patrolmen KIA

The families of three Montana Highway Patrol troopers killed on Flathead roads won't soon forget their loss. And neither will area drivers who will see newly dedicated signs reminding them of the officers' sacrifice.

Troopers David Graham, Evan Schneider and Mike Haynes died in head-on collisions between October 2007 and March 2009.

State officials, along with the troopers' families and friends, gathered Sept. 14 near Glacier Park International Airport to unveil the signs identifying three sections.

U.S. Highway 2 between Montana 206 and Hungry Horse is dedicated to Schneider, 29, who died in an August 2008 crash on U.S. 2 near Bad Rock Canyon. His patrol car was hit head-on by a pickup truck.

He had been following another vehicle when it sideswiped a half-ton pickup truck, which forced the pickup's driver to lose control, drive into the other lane of traffic and hit Schneider.

U.S. 2 between Reserve Drive to north of the airport honors Graham, 36, who died in October 2007 when a distracted driver of a pickup crossed the center turn lane and struck his car. The accident happened on U.S. 2 near Rose Crossing.

U.S. 93 between Somers and Cemetery Road is marked for Haynes, 28, who died from injuries after a March crash with a drunken driver. Haynes was headed southbound on U.S. 93 north of Somers when a car heading northbound in the southbound lanes struck his car head-on.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Montana Highway Patrol commander Col. Mike Tooley uncovered the signs during the ceremony.

"The highways are safe not just because of these three fallen," Schweitzer said, "but because of all of those troopers who protect our highways."

Tooley said that everyone's life has a story and the troopers lives ended in an unfortunate way.

"This is a story that needs to be told," he said. "We're thankful for their service."

U.S. 2 is already dedicated as the 163rd Infantry Regiment Heritage Highway. It recognizes the soliders who fought during World War II.

The memorial dedications overlap each other.

Seven Montana troopers have died while on duty since the Highway Patrol was established 74 years ago.