Airport Boulevard overcrossing dedicated to Sonoma County Sheriff deputies killed in line of duty

The Airport Boulevard overcrossing at Highway 101 north of Santa Rosa has been dedicated to three Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office employees killed in the line of duty. The bridge is now called the Detective Sergeant Ed Wilkinson, Deputy Sheriff Brent Jameson, and Deputy Sheriff Bliss Magly Memorial Overcrossing.

“It’s a tragedy whenever we lose one of our own in the line of duty,” said Sonoma County Sheriff Eddie Engram. “Detective Sgt. Wilkinson, Deputy Jameson and Deputy Magly finally have the memorial that they deserve.”

State Senator Mike McGuire sponsored legislation to name the overcrossing and install signage along Highway 101.

“Detective Sgt. Wilkinson, Deputy Jameson and Deputy Magly answered the call when Sonoma County needed them most,” Sen. McGuire said. “This memorial is about so much more than a sign on Highway 101. It’s about making sure for generations to come, North Bay residents know the names of three heroes who flew into danger so others could come home safe. The State of California is proud to honor their service and dedication and I’m grateful to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and their hardworking personnel and the Board of Supervisors for their partnership with this memorial.”

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors last year approved $20,000 to fund the memorial signage.

“Detective Sgt. Wilkinson, Deputy Jameson and Deputy Magly gave their lives to protect the residents of Sonoma County,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “My heart goes out to their families. We will not forget their service.”

Detective Sergeant Edward Francis Wilkinson was killed in the line of duty on April 17, 1977, while piloting a Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. He was returning to the helicopter hangar at the Sonoma County Airport after searching for a missing nine-year-old girl when the helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed into a field on Barnes Road.

Deputy Sheriff Brent Charles Jameson and Deputy Sheriff Bliss Steven Magly were killed in the line of duty on Oct. 23, 1980, when their Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crashed in heavy fog approximately one-half mile south of the Sonoma County Airport between River Road and Laughlin Road. Deputy Jameson was piloting the aircraft, with Deputy Magly serving as observer, on a search mission for a shooting suspect in the area of Ludwig Avenue between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa.

“The men and women in uniform who serve our community do so at great risk,” said Supervisor James Gore, whose district includes Airport Boulevard. “Detective Sgt. Wilkinson, Deputy Jameson and Deputy Magly paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we honor their bravery and dedication.”

An event to inaugurate the memorial overcrossing will take place later this year.

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Media Contact:
Matt Brown, County Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov
(707) 565-3040