Barrington renaming street for fallen Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill. It was his son's idea.

BARRINGTON — The town is renaming the road where late New Hampshire State Police Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill lived, and where his family still lives, in his honor.

Gooseneck Way soon will be known as Sergeant Way, honoring the memory of Sherrill, who was killed in 2021 on Interstate 95 in Portsmouth, where a tractor-trailer truck struck his cruiser.

Barrington Board of Selectmen Chair Joyce Cappiello said a resident representative of Gooseneck Way approached the Select Board about the process of renaming the street.

"The Select Board wanted to ensure that all residents were on board with the name change as changing an address can be onerous," she said. "The Select Board directed the town to send a survey to all residents on the street. The majority of residents on the street voted to rename the street. With this information, the Select Board voted favorably on the name change."

The town office offered to provide support to any resident that needs assistance with changing their mailing address. Town Administrator Conner MacIver said the town's police union have offered to help defray the cost to residents of the street who will need to change their address.

"The Sherrills have been longtime Barrington residents, and I remember Jesse from his (Barrington Youth Association) baseball days," Cappiello said. "Our hearts go out to the Sherrills in their loss."

Sherrill was 44 years old at the time of his death, survived by his wife Nicolle, and their children, Peyton and Quinn.

James Saccoccia, vice chair of the Select Board, said, "What a great way to honor Trooper Sherrill. This is something that will always have a special meaning to his family, friends, and the community of Barrington. I’m proud to have been part of the board that made the decision to make this change with the support of the residents on and off Gooseneck Lane."

MacIver said the Sherrill family is happy with the honor, but are not ready to talk publicly.

The new street signs will be installed on May 30, and the address change will be effective May 31.

"It was Jesse and Nicolle Sherrill’s son’s idea to change the name of their road in honor of his late father," MacIver said.

MacIver said the board sent letters to the 18 households on Gooseneck Lane to solicit anonymous feedback to aid in their decision making.

Some of the comments received are found below:

"Please change the name to Sergeant Way in honor of one of the nicest people I have ever known."

"We are honored to support the Sherrill family."

"It is the least we can do for the family."

MacIver said the Barrington Police Union (through private donations) offered to provide financial assistance to anyone affected by the road name change. He said Town Hall staff worked with state agencies and utilities to prepare for it and update maps.

Sherrill was born in Exeter but moved to Barrington as a child, attending elementary school there. MacIver said town officials are honored to support his family and his memory.

"Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill embodied Barrington’s community spirit," MacIver said. "We are a community of neighbors and the continued outpouring of support to honor Jesse Sherrill’s legacy is heartwarming. The new road name ensures his impact on our community will be forever remembered and celebrated."

State Police Colonel Nathan Noyes issued the following statement: "The men and women of the New Hampshire State Police are extremely grateful that the citizens of Barrington have chosen to honor the legacy of Staff Sergeant Sherrill by naming his street in his honor. Jesse’s commitment, dedication and service to his community was consistent, and he influenced the lives of many in a very positive way. He is missed daily by those that loved him, and because of small acts of kindness and remembrance such as this, he will be remembered throughout the Barrington Community forever. What a fitting tribute to a remarkable man."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Barrington NH renaming street for fallen Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill.