By Caroline Moreno
Headquarters External Affairs
Caltrans will hold its annual statewide Fallen Workers Memorial at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, on the west steps of the state Capitol. The memorial is a time to remember those who lost their lives building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system.
Each year, Caltrans honors its fallen employees at the statewide memorial ceremony on the west steps of the Capitol. Family members, co-workers, friends and the general public are invited to attend the ceremony.
Since 1921, 191 Caltrans employees have lost their lives on the job. One of the biggest hazards highway workers face is inattentive or distracted motorists.
This year we will be paying special tribute to Quanda McGadney, District 4 landscape maintenance worker, and Ali Shabazz, District 6 transportation civil engineer.
Quanda was killed on June 3, 2022, when a driver under the influence speeding and driving erratically crossed onto the shoulder and struck her as she was standing outside her vehicle. He fled and was captured shortly thereafter. He was found to be on active parole, in possession of a firearm and ammunition and multiple syringes containing heroin. He pled no contest and was sentenced to eight years in state prison.
Ali was killed on Aug. 8, 2022, on his way to a job site. Another motorist ran a stop sign and struck his truck. Both individuals succumbed to their injuries at the crash site.
This observance also highlights safety awareness for employees in work zones, as well as the motoring public.
This ceremony will be held in coordination with Caltrans Safety Awareness Week. Attendance at this ceremony, or your local Workers Memorial, can satisfy the two-hour requirement for Safety Awareness Week participation. See below for a schedule of district ceremonies.
- Statewide: Thursday, April 27: 11 a.m., Sacramento State Capitol
- District 1: Wednesday, May 17: Virtual
- District 2: Tuesday, April 25: 11 a.m., Adin Maintenance Station, 672150 State Route 299, East Adin
- District 3: Thursday, April 27: 11 a.m., Sacramento State Capitol
- District 4: April 25: 10 a.m., District Office Auditorium, 111 Grand Ave., Oakland
- District 5: Thursday, May 11: 10 a.m., 50 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo
- District 6: Wednesday, May 10: 10:30 a.m., Fresno District Office, 1352 W. Olive Ave, Fresno
- District 6: Friday, May 12: 10:30 a.m., Bakersfield Region Office, 1226 Olive Drive, Bakersfield
- District 7: Thursday, May 11: 11 a.m., West Region, 4821 Adohr Lane, Camarillo
- District 8: Tuesday, May 9: TBD, 464 West Fourth St., San Bernardino
- District 9: Wednesday, April 19: 10 a.m., Bishop Maintenance yard at 1250 Spruce St., Bishop
- District 10: Thursday, April 27: 11 a.m., Sacramento State Capitol
- District 11: Tuesday, April 25: 10 a.m., District Office, 4050 Taylor St., San Diego
- District 12: Tuesday, April 25: 10:30 a.m., Batavia Maintenance Station, 1808 N. Batavia St., Orange