SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Officers in Illinois who made the ultimate sacrifice in the past year were honored Thursday in Springfield.
The annual ceremony took place at the Illinois Peace Officer Memorial sculpture on the Illinois State Capitol grounds. This year, 12 officers who died in the line of duty were remembered.
The day’s events before with a lineup of squad cars at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, followed by a procession to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for a memorial church service, before going to the State Capitol.
Governor J.B. Pritzker spoke at the ceremony, saying the 12 who died served with valor, pride, and integrity.
“The twelve souls that we remember today carried forth that spirit of service knowing that they were putting their own lives on the line to protect others,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker eulogized each of the 12 officers, including Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Weist. Weist died in April of last year during a police chase.
“To say Deputy Sheriff Weist was a hero would be an understatement. But more than that, he was a giant in his community,” Pritzker said. “Whether he was teaching others self-defense, or spear-heading the Explorers program at the Aledo High School, Deputy Sheriff Weist exemplified what it means to serve.”
Other speakers at the ceremony included Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and Treasurer Mike Frerichs.
