I joined law enforcement officers, families, and community members at the Illinois State Capitol on May 7 for the annual Illinois Peace Officers Memorial ceremony honoring officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The ceremony included a procession of squad cars from agencies across the state and a memorial service recognizing both recently fallen officers and officers whose sacrifices occurred many years ago. During the ceremony, the names of eight officers were formally added to the Illinois Peace Officers Memorial.
Among those honored were Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera and Park Forest Detective Tim Jones, both of whom were killed in 2025 while serving their communities. Six additional historical officers were also recognized for their service and sacrifice.
Events like this serve as an important reminder of the courage and dedication demonstrated by law enforcement officers across Illinois every single day. These men and women willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and we have a responsibility to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.
I’m grateful to all of the officers, families, and community members who gathered to honor the lives of those who gave everything in service to others.