Highway I-40 dedicated to Trooper Matt Gatti

It has been a little over a year since the state trooper Matthew Gatti was laid to rest after being killed in the line of duty on i-40, just outside Jackson.

"He was a trooper, he was a public servant, but he never forgot who God was to him,” said Christopher Gatti, father of the late state Trooper.

Those are some of the remarks, Christopher Gatti, Matthew Gatti’s father, gave at a ceremony at the old country store. Many gathered to witness the dedication of part of i-40 to the late state trooper.

In a public charter presented by State Representatives Ed Jackson and Chris Todd, at mile marker 73, ending at exit 74 is “Trooper Matthew ‘Matt’ Gatti memorial highway.

“We were both very honored to be able to get this act passed that would rename the section of i-40 and the interchange in honor of trooper Matt Gatti and just to memorialize the sacrifice he and his family have made for the safety and security of our citizens,” said Rep. Todd.

Matt’s father says he died doing what he always did, thinking of others before himself.

“But everything he did was about what I can do for someone else, and when he gave his life, that is what he was doing. In a split second, Matt decided my life over someone else’s,”

Trooper Gatti died instantly after responding to a vehicle fire. he lost control of his automobile and crashed.

“Today has been a ceremony of celebration of what our son accomplished and did, and helps that legacy continue on,” said Gatti.

Trooper Gatti’s father says that Matt leaves a legacy in just 24 years of life, and people in the community still and honor and remember Matt as a public servant.