Southwest Allegheny News

A bridge in Cecil Township has been named in honor of Terry D. Tackett Jr., following a new law advocated by Representative Jason Ortitay. The initiative was amended to recognize Tackett for his courageous actions several years ago when he aided a woman critically injured after a vehicle accident near the Allegheny County Building.

"Terry would always lend a hand to anyone in need," Ortitay stated. "In one instance, he witnessed an accident while at work and put his own well-being in jeopardy by breaking a window and jumping headfirst into a vehicle to help a bloody, unconscious woman. While he had training as a firefighter, he had none of his equipment with him that day. Terry’s numerous acts of bravery will now be permanently remembered."

Tackett, who passed away in October 2022 due to a vehicular accident, was known affectionately as "Bubby." The bridge carrying the Southern Beltway over State Route 980 is located near where Tackett grew up. He served as a lieutenant with the Presto Volunteer Fire Department and worked as a laborer with Union Local 1058. He is survived by his wife Rachael and his parents, Terry Tackett Sr. and Sherry Rehak.

The 46th Legislative District represented by Ortitay includes South Fayette Township, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County, as well as Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant, North Strabane townships (Districts 6-9), Canonsburg, Houston, and McDonald boroughs in Washington County.