BELTON â The Belton City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday in support of House Bill 523 â legislation that would designate a portion of Loop 121 as âDeputy Sheriff John Rhoden Memorial Highwayâ if passed. Rhoden lost his life in the line of duty in April 2020 while he was attempting to lay spike strips along northbound Interstate 35, near the FM 93 exit ramp, when a tractor-trailer struck him. He was 31. The proposed legislation would also instruct the Texas Department of Transportation to design, construct and erect markers at the end of each section of highway showing the designation. Belton Mayor Wayne Carpenter â who wrote a letter to State Rep. Hugh Shine, R-Temple, expressing the cityâs support for the measure â said it is incredibly important to memorialize âone of our local law enforcement heroes.â