SIKESTON-A dedication ceremony for the Rickey L. Bell Memorial Highway was held Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. near the newly placed memorial highway sign on Route 84 in Caruthersville, Mo.

Senator Rob Mayer sponsored the legislation, naming a section of Route 84 in Pemiscot County from the Interstate 55 exit to the city limits of Caruthersville in honor of Bell. In addition to Mayer's efforts, Representative Terry Swinger and Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Duane Michie were also an instrumental part in the memorial highway dedication process.

Speakers at the ceremony included: Senator Mayer, Representative Swinger and family friend Stan Dodd of the First Christian Church of Caruthersville. Bell's sister, Nikki Bell, also participated in the ceremony by thanking everyone that helped make the Corporal Rickey L. Bell Memorial Highway a reality.

Prior to Corporal Rickey L. Bell's death on Aug. 22, 2007, the young 21-year-old was assigned to the 4^th Squadron, 6^th U.S. Air Cavalry Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington. Bell joined the United Sates Army upon graduating from Caruthersville High School in 2005. Bell's family currently resides in Caruthersville, where the memorial highway is located. 

For more information regarding the dedication ceremony, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Editor's Note: Dedication ceremony photo can be found on MoDOT's Southeast website at: http://www.modot.mo.gov/southeast/news_and_information/special_events/index.htm

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