Section 18. Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel, son of John and Genevieve Wirfel, was born in the village of New Germany, Cambria County, on October 16, 1936, the second of nine children.
(2) Trooper Wirfel served with the United States Air Force before enlisting in the Pennsylvania State Police, Portage Township, Cambria County, on September 7, 1961.
(3) Assigned to Troop D, Butler Barracks, Trooper Wirfel faithfully enforced the laws of this Commonwealth and protected our citizens while serving with the Pennsylvania State Police for more than two decades.
(4) Trooper Wirfel lost his life while on patrol on U.S. Route 22 in Cambria County on February 7, 1982, at 45 years of age, leaving behind his wife, Elizabeth, and seven children.
(5) Trooper Wirfel died at the scene when his unmarked patrol car struck an icy snow drift during pursuit of a speeding vehicle.
(6) Trooper Wirfel was buried with full military honors at Holy Name Cemetery, Ebensburg, Cambria County.
(b) Change of name.--The bridge on Tower Road spanning U.S. Route 219 in Croyle Township, Cambria County, is hereby renamed the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs which shall display the name of the bridge designated in subsection (b).