Portion of I-75 in Lee County dedicated to fallen FHP trooper

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FHP Master Sgt. Daniel Hinton

Thursday, a trooper who died during a training exercise was honored by having a portion of I-75 dedicated in his name.

Lieutenant Daniel Hinton was a trooper for 32 years before he died of a heart attack during the training exercise. The area on I-75 dedicated to him is near the Daniels Parkway exit in Lee County.

Lieutenant Hinton Memorial Highway Sign

Many of Lieutenant Hinton’s colleagues were in attendance at the dedication. His family was very emotional as they remembered the loving father, husband, and man that touched their lives.

“He was the best of us,” said FHP Deputy Director Troy Thompson. “A man among men. He is missed, but he will never be forgotten.”

It’s been 10 months since the death of Lieutenant Hinton, and about 100 people gathered to be a part of the dedication. Not a dry eye was in the house as Hinton’s friends, family and colleagues remembered the man who put his life on the line to help others.

“He was an exemplary law enforcement officer,” said State Attorney Amira D. Fox. “He poured his heart into his duties. He cared so deeply about his agency, about our community and about his family and he was an example of everything a law enforcement officer should be.”

Signs will be posted between mile marker 130 and 133 in his memory.

His colleagues spoke about what this dedication will mean for the community.

“Our hope is that with these signs posted the motoring public passes them, they’ll take a minute of pause and reflect on what sacrifices have been made out there,” said FHP Director Gene Spaulding.

It’s those sacrifices his colleague Lieutenant Greg Bueno remembers well. “He was a public servant. He gave his life to the State of Florida, to the citizens, to all of us that wear uniforms and we will never forget his service.”

And as many drive on this stretch of I-75, his colleagues hope drivers will stop and reflect on all that he served.

“We all certainly miss him dearly,” said Bueno.

Just down the road, another sign will be posted at mile-marker 130, which FHP hopes to have up this week.

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