Freeway Service Patrol - Driver of the Year
October 14, 2026
It’s 5:07 pm and 101 degrees on a sizzling Friday afternoon. You’re headed from your downtown Sacramento office out to your home in Folsom, ready to relax and get your weekend underway. So is everyone else, it seems, as the rush hour traffic quickly builds. Suddenly, cloudy white steam is rising from the hood of your car. The “check engine” indicator lights up your dashboard. This can’t be good.
You pull over along the side of Highway 50. Now what?
Meet Shane Papke. He’s been patrolling the stretch of Highway 50 between Sacramento and Yolo counties, saving stranded drivers and helping to reduce freeway congestion for more than 15 years, 12 of them as a member of the Sacramento Transportation Authority’s (STA) Freeway Service Patrol (FSP). The service comes at no cost to the rescued drivers.
“This is a great program, and we want people knew about us,” says Papke while seated comfortably in the cab of his tow truck. “The Freeway Service Patrol is out there watching for people and helping them for free. It’s a positive thing and super valuable. We want people to get home safely at the end of the day, or not to be stressed out about getting to work in the morning.”
The FSP works in partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to aid drivers as a team. Papke points out that the CHP can’t be everywhere all the time. Law enforcement officers and FSP professionals work together to clear accidents and help stranded drivers.
“It is a dangerous job when you are out here on the side of the road,” Papke points out. “However, not only are we helping in the case of a traffic incident or motorist who is pulled over, we are helping everyone commuting to and from work by keeping traffic moving.”
Motorists can’t say enough positive things about the STA Driver of the Year. “I am so thankful for this service. Shane took me and my car to safety,” says a driver who had her car break down. “I was a nervous wreck waiting to be pick up on the freeway, and Shane was a calm, strong presence.”
Another driver shares, “Shane came out of nowhere ready to help. I really appreciate him. While I was on hold with AAA, Shane was there to help and did the job in less than five minutes.”
As the STA Driver of the Year, Papke admits he was surprised to receive the award. “I do this job because I love it, not for the recognition. I’d rather be out here on the road helping people than in an office full time.” He continues, “I love helping the public and making them feel safer, whether they have been in an accident or simply have a flat tire. In both cases, people are having a bad day.”
Nearly 400 people have written to the STA to commend Papke for his work over the years. For Papke, it is his profession and something he feels called to do. “When I know people are worried, I can help turn a problem into a solution, and I like making that difference. All of the drivers on the Freeway Service Patrol are a family. If you talk to any of us, you’ll find that we all have the same feelings when it comes to helping the community.”
Nearly one million assists have been accomplished by the FSP since its inception in 1992. To learn more about this free program, please visit: https://www.sacta.org/freeway-service-patrol