Part of state Route 88 to be renamed after fallen Ravenna officer

Motorists on state Route 88 in Ravenna will soon be driving on a newly named road: the Patrolman James R. Wert Memorial Highway.

Ravenna and state officials, Wert’s family, and retired and current Ravenna police officers will be on hand Nov. 16 to dedicate the stretch of Route 88 between Maplewood Career Center and state Route 14 for Wert, who was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 31, 1981.

Around midnight on that date, news reports say that Wert had stopped a suspected drunk driver on Lovers Lane. After arresting the driver, he proceeded to Route 88, where he pulled off just north of Route 14 to adjust the arrested party’s handcuffs. A struggle ensued and additional Ravenna officers arrived to assist Wert.

At that time, a second drunk driver went left of center on Route 88, striking and killing Wert. The 17-year-old driver reportedly fled the scene, but was arrested a short time later and charged with drunk driving, hit-and-run and involuntary manslaughter.

Wert had joined the Ravenna police department on Feb. 1, 1980. He was 25 years old when he died and had been married only two months.

Signs will be erected along Route 88 in the coming days. The dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at Maplewood Career Center.