James Rogers Memorial Tribute

On Friday, January 6, 2016, TDOT honored the life and service of HELP Operator James "J.R." Rogers.
Rogers, 30, was changing a flat tire for a family stranded on I-40 at mile marker 221 in Davidson County. A member of the family was assisting with the tire change, but Rogers advised him to go inside the car for safety purposes. Rogers was struck a few minutes later by a vehicle crossing onto the shoulder.
Rogers passed away on December 28.
TDOT HELP Operators have routes on Tennessee's most heavily traveled highways in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville. The program began in 1999 for the purpose of reducing traffic congestion, improving safety, and assisting motorists in distress. The Region 3 HELP Operators in Middle Tennessee have responded to approximately 40,000 incidents in 2016.
Rogers is the third TDOT employee to be killed in the line of duty in 2016 and the 112th since the agency began keeping records in 1948.

[@kevinkitts178]

It's been a few years now since that day. God bless my states HELP trucks every day. I've helped most of knoxville operators and called to get some one the help they needed. I think of the Memphis incident around December now that I'm with a road rescue crew I pray they too will back me up. And also watch over me when needed.

[@kenmore7885]

I was 7317 until 2010 may he R.I.P.