SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Today, Assemblyman Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 126 to honor the life and sacrifice of Sergeant Nicole Gee. ACR 126, coauthored by Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), will dedicate a portion of Interstate 80 in Sgt. Gee’s hometown of Roseville, California. If passed by the Legislature, I-80 between Douglas Boulevard and the junction of State Route 65 will be known as “Nicole Gee Memorial Highway.”

Sgt. Gee was just 23 years old when a suicide bomber took her life, along with 12 other service members, while on a humanitarian mission assisting in the evacuation of refugees during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Sgt. Gee passed away while Patterson was serving on the Rocklin City Council, which neighbors the City of Roseville. “Any time a service member is killed in action, it is heartbreaking,” Patterson said. “Our community was crushed when we learned one of those lost was a hometown hero.”

Patterson was elected to the Assembly in November 2022 and started the process for the highway dedication shortly after.

“I saw the picture of Nicole in the news after the bombing,” Patterson said. “She was (in) uniform, holding an Afghan child around the same age as my youngest kid. You could see how much Nicole cared for the safety and well-being of a child she didn’t even know. I couldn’t shake that image, and I knew I had to do something to honor her life.”

Nicole was born in Vail, Colorado, and raised in Roseville, California, where she graduated from Oakmont High School.

“The Roseville City Council held a ceremony in August to dedicate Nicole Gee Drive,” said Patterson. “Sgt. Nicole Gee Memorial Highway on I-80 will build on this tremendous recognition to honor Nicole who loved her job serving our nation.”

Nicole entered active duty in the United States Marine Corps in August 2017. She was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24 and deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in February 2021 with stops in Spain, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. Her military awards and accomplishments include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Expert Rifle Qualification Third Award. She was a black belt martial arts instructor, set weightlifting records at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, and achieved perfect scores in Combat Fitness Tests.

“My district mourns for all those who die protecting our nation,” Patterson said. “We hold a special place in our hearts for Nicole, and I pray every time we drive by her memorial sign, we remember the joy she brought to everyone she knew, the light she was to others all around the world, and that we never forget the sacrifice she made for the people of this nation.”