DENVER (KDVR) — A section of Interstate 25 could soon be dedicated to first responders in honor of a fire chief who died from a work-related cancer.
In December 2019, Lori Jackson lost her husband Troy, and South Metro Fire Rescue lost a beloved chief.
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“He had been doing his job for about thirty years. He was diagnosed with a work-related cancer called Cystic Adenoid Carcinoma,” Lori said. “He always did his job again, even when he fought against it, because he knew it was his calling.”
During the time he was battling his cancer, Lori said their fire family was with them every step of the way and continued to support them after his passing.
“The way these first responders live their lives is they’re always leaning on other people, and as a family you always know you can count on others,” Lori said.
From helping drive the Jacksons to various events, including graduations, to making sure Troy made his chemo and radiation appointments, they were there.
“The feeling of love, support and understanding that comes from the entire community is very, very rare,” Lori said.
It was in 2020 when Lori first considered the idea of a highway dedication
“You see wonderful things like the dedication to Kendrick [Castillo], you see the dedication to Columbine’s Coach Sanders. I thought this is what I want to do,” she said.
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Years later, she finally decided she was ready to tackle it.
“I contacted the administration and management team at South Metro and they immediately assisted and started working on it,” she said.
Mike Dell’Orfano, the head of government affairs, contacted lobbyists who presented it to the Legislature. The next step now is to raise the funds.
“It’s not just putting a few stickers on a board and there it is. You have to close the highway and divert traffic while the big sign goes up after it’s made,” Lori said.
In fact, the 45-by-7-foot sign will cost about $28,000. The fundraising process is already underway. Lori currently has a GoFundMe set up and a Facebook page where she will post updates about the sign.
She said if she exceeds that goal, she will donate whatever is left to the Colorado Professional Firefighter Foundation and the South Metro Professional Firefighter Foundation.
When all was said and done, Lori said she hopes first responders can see it as a reminder of her gratitude and Troy’s legacy.
“Whether someone is traveling through our state, or it’s one of the crew members from their South Metro department, I wanted something that just said thank you to them,” she said.
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