Bridgeport City Council to Make Proclamation to Name City Park Bridge in Memory of Derek Hotsinpiller
By Jeff Toquinto on May 08, 2025
One of Bridgeport’s most identifiable names and a true hero will be recognized permanently in the city and the first step for that will take place at Monday’s Bridgeport City Council meeting.
During the May 12 session, Council will make a proclamation for the City Park bridge to be dedicated as the DUSM (Deputy United States Marshal) Derek W. Hotsinpiller Memorial Bridge.
The action is one of many items to be addressed by the city’s governing body at the meeting. The regular session begins at 7 p.m. at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex.
The dedication is planned to take place prior to the start of the 15th Annual Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars 5K that begins and ends at City Park. Hotsinpiller, born in Bridgeport and a BHS graduate, was shot and killed while serving a warrant at a home in Elkins in February of 2011. He was 24.
“With this being the 15th anniversary of the 5K that starts and finishes at this bridge in City Park, it is the perfect time to name it in his honor,” said Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth of the dedication event and unveiling of a permanent sign the morning of the race. “Honoring him, his sacrifices, and his family with a 
permanent sign in the city he called home on a city bridge on city property is more than appropriate.”
permanent sign in the city he called home on a city bridge on city property is more than appropriate.”
Another key item, which is one of three under new business for Council, will be considering and acting on a resolution naming Jill Rafter as the new Bridgeport Director of Library Services. Rafter has served in an interim capacity since previous director Savanna Draper resigned.
The bulk of the meeting will focus on awards and presentations. In fact, there are seven items – including the Hotsinpiller announcement – listed in the category.
The first two items involve Bridgeport High School. Council will recognize the boys and girls state championship swim teams and also recognize the Bridgeport Thespian Team that came home with honors at their state festival.
There will be a presentation of an employee service award. Zachary Byers will be recognized for 10 years of service with the Bridgeport Fire Department.
The proclamation for the City Park Bridge will not be the only proclamation. Council will have a proclamation for Huntington’s Disease/Joe%20Shuttleworth%20New%20Old.jpg)
Awareness Month.
Awareness Month.
The final two items involve the swearing in of two new police officers. Officer Richard Bartley and Officer Ryan Hamrick will be sworn in by Mayor Andy Lang after both recently graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy.
As for the final two items, Council will address two relatively procedural issues. The first would be to change the date of the May 26 meeting to another day as it falls on Memorial Day. The other is to consider and approve the fiscal year 2025-26 Bridgeport salary ordinance, which Shuttleworth said takes place annually to assure all approved matters – from pay increases to promotions – are official.
Jeffrey Landis, the water utility operator at the wastewater treatment plant, will manage the invocation. There will also be a public comment period for anyone wishing to address the city’s governing body. Shuttleworth and Lang will also have reports.
There will be a work session prior to the meeting at 5 p.m. Part of it deals with legal matters and advanced construction planning, which will be in executive session. Part of the work session is to review material for agenda items, which is possibly in an open session.
The meeting is open to the public.
Editor's Note: Top photo is the sign off of Johnson Avenue directing individuals to City Park, while the starting point of the Fallen Stars 5K - the bridge to be dedicated - is shown in the second image. Bottom photo is of Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth.
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