Sep. 27—A section of highway in Wyoming and Luzerne counties has now officially been renamed in honor of a fallen firefighter.
State Route 309 between state Route 1026 — Kunkle-Alderson Road — in Luzerne County and state Route 29 in Wyoming County is now officially known as the Edward J. Nulton Sr. Memorial Highway.
Signs were unveiled in a ceremony on Monday afternoon at the intersection of state Route 309 and state Route 29 with members of Kunkle Fire Company and Nulton's family present.
Nulton, a former Kunkle firefighter, was struck by a dump truck while directing traffic at an accident scene in Monroe Twp. in 2018. He never recovered from his injuries and died Sept. 19, 2019. He was 63.
State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., sponsored legislation to have the stretch of highway renamed in honor of Nulton. The legislation passed in September 2021.
"A dedication such as this has a purpose beyond giving life to the name and memory of someone who contributed in exceptional and indispensable ways to public safety," Baker said. "It serves as a reminder of the tragic consequences when traffic safety laws and driving awareness are not adhered to, more powerful than the customary road signs."
The idea to rename the stretch of highway was proposed to Baker by Kunkle Fire Chief Jack Dodson and Dallas Twp. Police Chief Doug Higgins.
Dodson said Monday that not a day goes by when he doesn't think about Nulton, one of his closest friends from the department.
"You could always count on Ed to be here, ready and willing to serve those in need within our community," Dodson said. "This highway designation will be a way in which we can continue to remember our courageous friend, whose presence is greatly missed."
State Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake and State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, were involved heavily in getting the legislation passed.
"Hopefully when someone is driving on this highway and sees this sign, they will think of how great a person Ed Nulton really was," Boback said. "I know his community and brothers and sisters from the Kunkle Fire Department miss him dearly every day."
Once the sign was officially unveiled, a procession of fire trucks and ambulances made its way from the site of the accident in Monroe Twp. to Kunkle Fire Hall in Dallas. Nulton's former wife, children and grandchildren also took part in the ride, a ride the firefighter made often while carrying out his duties.
"We are reminded of the dangers our first responders are put through every day," Baker said. "Ed took his duty very seriously and these signs will remind people of the sacrifices he made to keep everyone safe."
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