State Rep. Jim Lucas says a section of a Jennings County highway is closer to being renamed in honor of two fallen police officers.

Lucas sponsored a resolution, which went on to pass the House and Senate. It has been returned to the House and will next move on to Governor Eric Holcomb for his signature. Once official, a portion of U.S. 50 and County Road 150 North will be renamed “Officer Anthony Burton and Reserve Officer Lonnie Howard Memorial Highway.”

Officers Burton and Howard died in March of 1993, when their police cruiser was rammed by a man who was free on bond following an earlier standoff with police. Their car was pushed nearly 100 feet through a ditch, coming to a rest close to U.S. Highway 50.

The section of U.S. 50 and Jennings County Road 150N runs on the west side of North Vernon to just off the old U.S. Highway 50 on the east side as it approaches the Muscatatuck River.

TTWN Media Networks contributed to this report