Remembering Jordan

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By By Michelle Esteban

Summary

A family was stunned when the state took down a roadside memorial in honor of their little boy; but their perseverance worked. The sign is back so Jordan Malone will never be forgotten.

Story Published: Feb 20, 2003 at 12:04 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 24, 2009 at 11:11 AM PDT

Remembering Jordan
DEMING - "That's my favorite picture there because it just goes to show you how full of life he was," says Joe Malone as he points to a picture of his dead son.

Jordan's sister likes another picture on the sign. "That one right there is my favorite because it has all three of us in it," says Darrinen Malone.

He only lived four short years but everyone who drives the Mount Baker Highway knows his name; Jordan Malone.

Darrinen says "When we're driving by it and I see it I go 'hey, that's Jordan's sign.' "

For nearly eight years Jordan's sign that reads "Tired? Pull Over!!" has been a local landmark and a memorial.

Jordan was killed was killed in 1995 by a driver who fell asleep and crossed the center line.

The Malone family says the sign isn't just for them. It's also for other people.

When some people see the sign they pull over and rest at the first driveway they see.

Ten days ago the sign disappeared. "It's been a long week," says Jordan's mother, Lisa Malone.

Turns out, the sign didn't vanish - the Department of Transportation took it down.

That's because signs like this one are illegal.

As a courtesy to loved ones, the DOT's unwritten policy is to let the sign stay for a while. Once time or interest is lost, the sign is taken down.

"It's real emotional because I really miss him and I have not lost interest in my son," says Lisa.

On February 25th, it will be eight years since Jordan was killed. "It couldn't have been worse timing," says his father Joe.

Ten days ago the Malones vowed to get the sign back. It took a little time but by Wednesday morning the landmark was back.

"DOT being part of the community wanted to do the right thing here," says DOT worker Tony Hernandez.

All is finally right, and a lesson has been learned.

"If something is really special to you and you want it you have to be nice about it and try to get it back and keep on trying. Then it'll probably come back, " says Jordan's sister Makayla Malone.

The state says because of Jordan Malone it will launch a campaign about being too tired to drive. By the way, a study done at Stanford University two years ago found that sleepy drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers.