NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
April 28, 2009
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
  (850) 651-7420

TRAFFIC ADVISORY INFORMATION

    The  Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office wants to advise the public to expect significant traffic delays in localized areas on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week due to the heavy attendance expected at the joint visitations, funeral services, and burial services for Deputy Burt Lopez and Deputy Skip York.

    Major delays can be expected in the area of State Road 85 North near the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Center, on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

    On Thursday, motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays beginning at 2 p.m. in the area of  Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Boulevard,  Crestview. After the 3 p.m. service, the procession for Deputy Burt Lopez will head south on State Road 85 to State Road 20, John Sims Parkway in Niceville, and then north onto Highway 285 for burial services at Heritage Gardens, 2201 Partin Drive North, causing likely traffic back-ups in those areas into the early evening hours.

    On Friday, there will be very heavy traffic in the area of St. Mary's Catholic Church, 110 St. Mary's Avenue,  Fort Walton Beach beginning around 9 a.m. for the funeral service for Deputy Skip York. Once the procession leaves the church, it will head west on Highway 98 to Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.

    On behalf of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, we ask the public to please be patient and understanding while we take these necessary measures to honor our fallen heroes.

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