The California Legislature is advancing a measure to honor Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa, who died in the line of duty on June 25.

Senators Ricardo Lara, D-Long Beach, and Pat Bates, R-Laguna Hills, are joint authors of Senate Concurrent Resolution 159, which will designate the portion of Interstate 5 between Camino Las Ramblas and the Ortega Highway in Orange County as the Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa Memorial Highway.

David Rosa. Photo courtesy the Long Beach Fire Department.

“When Captain Rosa was not serving the people of Long Beach, he was a devoted father and volunteer in his home of San Juan Capistrano,” Lara said in a written statement. “Every time someone drives the Fire Captain David Rosa Memorial Highway, they will know that a firefighter died to protect them, and that is the highest service someone can give our state.”

Rosa died after being shot as he was responding to a call of an explosion at the Covenant Manor senior housing center. The suspected shooter, Thomas Kim, 77, died in custody last week.

California highway memorials recognized people who have provided extraordinary public service or contribution to the public good and have a connection to the community where the highway is located, according to a statement from Lara’s office.

The Legislature must approve the legislation by Aug. 31, and it does not require the signature of the governor.