It is the duty of police officers to make the roads safe for those who pay their salaries. If this includes stopping to pick up something in the road, that is part of his job. I have seen State Troopers do this many times. I saw one pick up a ladder from I-40 some time back. I have also seen city police drive around obstructions in the roadway and keep going. If someone had removed this box, which I understand had been there a long time, the officer would probably be alive today.