Montana Memorial Wall Dedicated to Fallen Tow Truck Operators

It's a memorial 5 years in the making. After the tragic loss of two tow truck operators near Columbus, Montana- the first responder and tow truck community jumped into action to honor the fallen.

Lori Tribble with the Montana Tow Truck Association joined us on the radio Tuesday morning before the new memorial was officially dedicated in Three Forks.

Tribble: "It's a big deal for the Montana Tow Truck Association. After five years of planning and building, our tow truck memorial will be unveiled today. And of course, we're excited...it's a gorgeous memorial.." She mentioned the beautiful walls, the eagle sculpture, and "of course, the names of our tow truck operators that have lost their lives in the line of duty."

In a press release sent out after attending the memorial dedication, Gov. Greg Gianforte says "the memorial was built to honor the lives of two Montanans who were struck and killed while responding with towing support at an accident on Interstate 90 near Columbus in October 2020, and the lives of three other tow truck drivers killed in Montana since."

Tribble: "We discussed in our regular board meeting the loss of lives of Casey Allen and Nick Visser at Columbus. And you know, really across the nation, there is not another memorial for tow operators specific. There's fire, ambulance, there's other disciplines. They have places to go and remember...also we're trying to educate the public about the Slow Down Move Over Law- slow down move over when emergency personnel is alongside the roadway. And that was our goal, other than to honor our fallen operators, but also to educate the public."

At the dedication the Governor said, “This memorial stands in honor of the tow operators who risked their lives to help others in a time of need. May this also serve as a reminder to all motorists in Montana to slow down and move over when approaching stopped vehicles and emergency responders on our roadways.”

Here's more from Scott Wolff, President of the Montana Tow Truck Association:

This Memorial was built to recognize all responders and educate the public about the Slow Down-Move Over Laws and is the first and only state memorial dedicated especially to honor those towing and recovery operators who served, and that those lives taken in the line of duty are no longer forgotten,” said Scott Wolff, President of the Montana Tow Truck Association.