Route 309 in Marion County Named in Honor of Deputy, Trooper Bender

COLUMBUS – State Representative Tracy Richardson’s (R-Marysville) joined the Ohio House in unanimously voting in favor of House Bill 291, legislation to memorialize highways and bridges around the state. 

Richardson introduced legislation that will create a memorial highway along state Route 309 between Marion-Williamsport Road and Holland Road to honor Deputy Sheriff Bill Bender and his son Trooper Randy Bender. The language was later amended into House Bill 291.

“There is a rich family history of public service in the Bender family and I am grateful to be able to bring this legislation to the Statehouse to honor their sacrifice and commitment to protecting our community. I look forward to dedicating the Bender Memorial Highway in the near future.” said Richardson.

  Deputy Bender was killed on July 2, 1973 in an automobile accident while he was en route to setup a roadblock in connection to an escapee from a local jail. Trooper Bender also died in the line of duty on November 20, 1982 after he was struck by a tractor trailer while he was directing traffic in a construction zone.