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‘You will not be forgotten’

By Steve Barrett for The 5 min read
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Officers from various law enforcement agencies stand at attention during the dedication of the Sgt. Michael Todd May Interchange in Mt. Morris on Wednesday. (Photo by Steve Barrett)

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Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox speaks during the dedication of the Sgt. Michael Todd May Interchange in Mt. Morris on Wednesday, as members of the Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Unit stand at attention. (Photo by Steve Barrett)

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State Sen. Tim Solobay (far left) and state Rep. Pam Snyder (third from left) talk with Frank and Catherine May, the parents of Sgt. Michael Todd May, near the new sign that was unveiled Wednesday in honor of Sgt. May. (Photo by Steve Barrett)

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May

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State Sen. Tim Solobay (far left) and state Rep. Pam Snyder (third from left) talk with Frank and Catherine May, the parents of Sgt. Michael Todd May, near the new sign that was unveiled on July 30 in honor of Sgt. May.

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Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox speaks during the dedication of the Sgt. Michael Todd May Interchange in Mt. Morris on July 30, as members of the Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Unit stand at attention.

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Officers from various law enforcement agencies stand at attention during the dedication of the Sgt. Michael Todd May Interchange in Mt. Morris on July 30.

MT. MORRIS — Local and state officials on Wednesday joined several dozen police officers from various Greene County and West Virginia law enforcement agencies for the dedication of a highway interchange that was named in honor of a sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty in 2012.

Sgt. Michael Todd May, 41, a 10-year veteran of the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, was killed during the pursuit of a vehicle operated by Jerod Green, 37, of Morgantown, W.Va., on Interstate 79 in Greene County, a mile north of the Pennsylvania-West Virginia state line, in the early morning hours of Feb. 18, 2012.

During the dedication ceremony Wednesday, several speakers addressed the large crowd of law enforcement officers, other dignitaries and May’s family members and friends.

Officers in attendance represented numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department; West Virginia State Police; Pennsylvania State Police; Star City, W.Va., police; Granville, W.Va., police; Morgantown, W.Va, police; Waynesburg Borough Police; Southwest Regional police; and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.

State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, who along with state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, sponsored legislation naming the I-79 interchange as the Sgt. Michael Todd May Interchange, said the honor was “overwhelming and very much appreciated by the family of Sgt. May.” Solobay expressed his sympathies to May’s parents, Frank and Catherine May, his brother, Frankie, and the rest of the family.

Snyder also extended her sympathies to the family, and honored May for his service to law enforcement.

“He paid the ultimate sacrifice,” she said. “We, here in Greene County, will never forget what he did. I thank him, and I thank all law enforcement. I cannot fathom a world without law enforcement.”

Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox said May’s brother had told her that Sgt. May was passionate about serving on drunken driving patrols. She also recounted the details of what happened on Feb. 18, 2012.

“We need to remember the events of why we are here today,” she said.

According to police and court records, the incident began that morning with Green involved in a hit-and-run accident in Morgantown. He was stopped by police following the crash and said he initially ran because of four prior driving under the influence of alcohol charges. He then fled, briefly dragging an officer who had asked him to take a field sobriety test.

Several police departments joined in the pursuit as Green drove into Pennsylvania, where he traveled onto the southbound ramp of I-79 in Mt. Morris.

May had been heading north and crossed the median to join the pursuit.

Another officer said he saw May’s patrol vehicle appear to be waiting along the berm for Green, when Green’s vehicle moved directly across the interstate toward May’s police car. The officer said May appeared to try to avoid a head-on collision by entering the highway, but at the last moment, Green turned right and struck the patrol vehicle.

May died a short while after the crash at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va.

Green was traveling at 98 mph immediately prior to the crash and did not apply his brakes. Police also previously said that Green’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was .189, more than twice the legal limit.

During her comments, Fox also commended the police officers who assisted in apprehending Green.

“And as we the members of the public spend but an hour in the shadow of these officers and their families, let us be thankful for the service of these officers and the sacrifices of their families,” she said. “Sgt. May, whom we honor today, gave his own life so that we might be safe in our travels, safe in our homes, and secure with the knowledge that others like Sgt. May – those standing before you – will continue to serve and protect us.

“With all of my heart, thank you, Sgt. May,” she concluded. “You will not be forgotten.”

Sheriff Kenneth “Al” Kinzer of the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department thanked Solobay, Snyder and Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Steven Dowlin for their efforts in the dedication, which he called “a wonderful tribute for Sgt. May and his family. “

“Although it has been two years and five months since his death, his memory is still strong, it is still with us,” he said. “We hope this place of tragedy will be a place of remembrance.”

Kinzer also commended the many law enforcement officers from Pennsylvania and West Virginia in attendance for their support.

“When a tragedy like this happens, there are no borders,” he said. “This is a brotherhood and sisterhood, and the blue line just got a little thinner.”

Kinzer also thanked Fox and law enforcement “for their involvement in the investigation, evidence-gathering and prosecution of Jerod Green.”

Green was convicted in Greene County Court in December 2012 and was sentenced in February 2013 to serve 25 to 50 years in prison for third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, homicide by vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude police and drunken driving.

Green also pleaded guilty to additional charges filed in West Virginia courts stemming from the incident, including drunken driving and two fleeing charges. On May 9, he was sentenced to serve up to 18 years in prison on the charges. Monongalia County Circuit Judge Russell Clawges ordered the West Virginia sentence to be served consecutively with the Greene County sentence.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a sign honoring May was unveiled near the Mt. Morris exit of I-79, where officials gathered with May’s family members.

Sgt. May’s father, Frank May, said after the ceremony that he and his family were “truly honored” by the dedication, ceremony and new sign, and he thanked those involved in the effort.

“This is a wonderful way to memorialize and honor him,” he said.

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