On April 1, Illinois Trooper Day, the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation announced every ISP Officer killed in the line of duty will be honored for their sacrifice for the people of Illinois with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways.
“The lives and legacies of our fallen state police officers deserve to be honored for generations to come, and we will ensure that no sacrifice goes unrecognized,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “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.”
Trooper Albert J. Hasson was the first ISP Trooper killed in the line of duty after being struck by a vehicle while on patrol on old Route 66 just north of Chenoa in 1924. Since the agency began providing services on April 1, 1922, 73 ISP officers have died in the line of duty.
“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,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “These officers made the ultimate sacrifice for us all and these signs are one way to ensure that sacrifice is not forgotten.”
Over the next several months, IDOT and the Illinois Tollway will erect uniform signs for all fallen ISP Officers. The existing ISP signs vary in design. The new signs will be standardized for a uniform look that shows respect for the officer’s, and their family’s, sacrifice.
“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,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We are honored to participate in this tribute and forever grateful for the contributions of the Illinois State Police.”
“The Illinois Tollway relies on the Illinois State Police to protect and assist the drivers and workers on our system and we’re proud to participate in this initiative to ensure the sacrifices made by these fallen Troopers are properly honored,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Adding the new, standardized signs along our system will help ensure the service, dedication and sacrifice displayed by these Troopers is properly recognized.”
In 2011, the General Assembly began passing resolutions designating stretches of various highways in honor of ISP officers killed in the line of duty. It is believed the first ISP memorial sign was installed on State Highway 13 in honor of Trooper Lory Price, who was murdered, along with his wife, by the notorious Charlie Birger Gang in 1927.
