COLUMBUS, Ohio — Natural Resources Officer Jason Lagore is being honored for his service to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a highway running through Caesar Creek State Park will be renamed after him. 

Lagore died in the line of duty in Feb. 2021, and the portion of State Route 73 is renamed after him following Gov. Mike DeWine's signature on House Bill 578.

“This road was patrolled by Officer Lagore and his K-9 partner, so it is only fitting that it is dedicated in his honor,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “We appreciate Officer Lagore’s devotion to his duty and will always remember the work he did to keep the people of Ohio safe.”

The bill was a designation omnibus transportation bill that DeWine signed this week, the Ohio department of Transportation will now be responsible for installing road markers for Lagore.

Lagore died while assisting in the rescue of two children who had fallen through the ice at Rocky Fork Lake in Highland County. He was a 15-year veteran with ODNR's Division of Parks and Watercraft and was responsible for establishing the first ODNR K-9 academy.