LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A stretch of a major road in the Big Bend is being named after a Leon County deputy killed in the line of duty.
Deputy Christopher Smith was responding to reports of a house fire on November 22nd, 2014 when he was ambushed.
A stretch of U.S. Highway 90 from Chaires Cross Road in Leon County to State Road 59 in Jefferson County is now designated as "Deputy Christopher Smith Memorial Highway."
Smith worked as a deputy in both counties during his career. The Leon County Sheriff's Office says renaming the road is another reminder of his service.
"We're very honored and excited to be able to name 90 from Chaires Cross Road out to 59 and work with Jefferson County and Senator Montford to name it after Chris. His service to both communities was incredible,"said Deputy Dave Teems, the public information officer for the Leon County Sheriff's Office. "It's just fitting that we're able to name that portion of it, because it goes into Jefferson and Leon County, since he served both communities."
The Leon County Sheriff's Office is working on a formal ceremony to commemorate the renaming at the end of September.
