By Paul Feely
The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
CONCORD, N.H. — A law requiring motorists to reduce speed and give a wide berth to roadside emergencies now bears the name of a state trooper who gave his life to keeping Granite State residents safe.
On Monday, Gov. Kelly Ayotte held a ceremonial bill signing outside New Hampshire State Police Troop A headquarters in Epping for “Sherrill’s Law,” with state troopers and the family of Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill — a 19-year veteran state trooper who was killed in the line of duty while working a construction detail guarding a highway road project in 2021 — in attendance.
“Our law enforcement officers, road crews, and tow truck drivers put themselves at risk to help others each day,” Ayotte said. “Strengthening our ‘Move Over’ law ensures we do everything we can to keep our first responders, highway crews, and fellow drivers safe, and renaming it in honor of Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill serves as an important reminder of the risk and sacrifice it takes to keep our roadways safe.”
Senate Bill 273, now known as “Sherrill’s Law,” renames RSA 265:37-a, formerly known as the state’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to slow down, move out of lanes that are partially or wholly blocked, and give plenty of space to emergency response vehicles.
Ayotte told Sherrill’s wife, Nicolle, and their children, Peyton and Quinn, that “our thoughts and prayers will always be with you.”
“Jesse’s name will forever stand for the important work that he did, the heroic life that he led, and Jesse’s name will stand for saving lives,” Ayotte said. “His leadership and his memory will continue to serve the people of New Hampshire . We wish more than anything that we weren’t here for this reason today, but we are grateful that the law will carry Jesse’s legacy forward.”
Under the amended law, drivers are now required to reduce speed and provide extra space if, “a stopped or standing vehicle displaying warning signals, including vehicle hazard warning lights, road flares, traffic cones, caution signs, or any nonvehicular warning signs” is present and it’s safe to do so.
“This legislation expands the original ‘Move Over’ law to require drivers to move over or slow down for all vehicles stopped on the side of the roadway,” New Hampshire State Police Col. Mark B. Hall said. “It reflects Staff Sgt. Sherrill’s enduring concern for the safety and well-being of others — something he demonstrated every day in uniform and in life. Sherrill’s Law will serve as a powerful reminder to who Jesse was: a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend and a New Hampshire state trooper. His legacy of care and protection will continue to safeguard others for generations to come.”
Ayotte said naming the enhanced law after Sherrill “matters.”
“It raises awareness, puts a face — a heroic face — to the risk, and makes this very real for every driver,” Ayotte said. “When someone sees the name Sherrill’s Law, they’ll be reminded that lives are at stake if they don’t move over or slow down. It’s a legacy that will protect others, an appropriate legacy from someone who gave his life to service.”
Jay Medeiros , 45, of Ashford, Connecticut , pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and reckless conduct charges in the Portsmouth crash that killed Sherrill in October 2021 .
During his sentencing, Medeiros turned to face a courtroom full of state troopers, Sherrill’s family and friends and apologized while holding back tears.
“There is no way for me to undo the pain that I have caused you and your family,” Medeiros said. “I am truly sorry. I wish I could turn back time. I will always carry the guilt of the accident. I will never forget your husband, your friend, your son — he will be with me forever.
“I never meant to hurt anybody.”
An indictment handed up by a Rockingham County grand jury in May 2022 accused Medeiros of having marijuana in his system, storing marijuana in the cab of his rig and having ingested marijuana at most three days before the Oct. 28 accident.
At the time of his death, Sherrill, a trooper of 19 years who lived in Barrington , had recently been promoted to assistant troop commander.
A commemoration of his life drew thousands to the SNHU Arena in Manchester .
Sherrill, 44, was sitting in his cruiser when the northbound tractor-trailer struck his car. He was working an overnight traffic detail when the crash took place, just north of Exit 3, about 14 miles into the state.
According to the indictments, Medeiros passed at least two advanced warning devices and multiple warning/emergency lights and a yellow direction arrow.
He didn’t move over or reduce his speed until his rig was about 11 feet from the parked cruiser.
Representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, AAA Northern New England, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association , and the New Hampshire Towing Association also attended the ceremony.
pfeely@unionleader.com
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