The Illinois State Police, along with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Tollway, and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, announced on April 1 that every state police officer killed in the line of duty will be honored with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways.
This initiative aims to ensure that each fallen officer’s sacrifice is recognized and remembered by generations to come. Memorial signs will serve as visible reminders for millions of drivers across the state about the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
Governor JB Pritzker said, “The lives and legacies of our fallen State Police Officers deserve to be honored for generations to come,and wewill ensurethat no sacrificegoes unrecognized. Our State Police put their safety on the line to protect the People of Illinois, and that bravery and commitment will be memorialized along roadways across the state.”
Since its founding in 1922, seventy-three Illinois State Police officers have died in service. The first was Trooper Albert J. Hasson in 1924 after being struck by a vehicle while on patrol near Chenoa. ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said, “While the State has installed signs along Illinois highways in dedication of fallen ISP Officers over the years, we recognized there were not signs for every fallen ISP Officer, and to honor them,we are changing that. These Officers made the ultimate sacrifice for us all and these signs are one way to ensure that sacrifice is not forgotten.” Over coming months, IDOT and Illinois Tollway crews will install standardized memorial signage at locations throughout the state.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said these markers are meant as reminders: “For the millions of drivers on Illinois roads each day, these signs are a reminder that Troopers constantly put their lives on the line to keep the public protected and safe. We are honored to participate in this tribute and forever grateful for the contributions of the Illinois State Police.” Cassaundra Rouse, Executive Director of Illinois Tollway added: “Adding new standardized signs along our system will help ensure service,dedication,and sacrifice displayed by these Troopers is properly recognized.”
The effort builds upon past actions; since 2011 legislative resolutions have designated highway stretches honoring officers who died while serving—including what is believed to be one of earliest such tributes installed for Trooper Lory Price in Williamson County.
ISP Heritage Foundation Executive Director Jarod Ingebrigtsen said: “Remembering those men and women who paid ultimate sacrifice is one most important endeavors we can undertake honor their legacies families…These signs will serve as reminder citizens this great state…of sacrifice paid by these Officers as well as daily efforts current future law enforcement officers keep our communities safe.” Video from announcement events can be found on ILStatePolice Facebook page.
