Chicago City Wire

Illinois state Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) recently took part in a ceremony honoring a Knox County deputy sheriff who was killed in the line of duty in April.

Stephens and his statehouse colleagues gathered on Nov. 30 to honor Knox County Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist, who was killed on April 29 as he tried to detain an armed suspect who was fleeing from officers; a release on Stephens' website said.

As part of the ceremony, House Joint Resolution 93 was introduced, which would name a portion of Illinois Route 150 “Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist Memorial Highway” in honor of his sacrifice. Stephens and other members of the House thanked Weist's wife Jessica for the sacrifices she and her husband have made for the community.

“Sometimes words cannot express the immensity of the greatness of one’s actions and their heroism,” Stephens said in the release. “This certainly applies to Deputy Nick Weist. Deputy Weist ended his shift and was on his way home the morning he died and heard about the pursuit on his drive home. Instead of going home, he went to help and gave his life in doing so. This demonstrated the selflessness that is so elemental in our law enforcement officers."

On his way home after his shift, Weist heard that a Galesburg man who was armed and had fired at officers was fleeing northbound on Illinois Route 150, the release ssaid. Rather than going home, Weist stopped to set up spike strips in hopes of stopping the suspect, who veered to avoid the spike strips and struck Weist, killing him. The suspect later fled his vehicle and was captured on foot.

"Our hearts extend from Cook County to Knox County to his wife and family he leaves behind," Stephens added. "Let’s never forget these Illinois heroes and their families who do so much to keep us safe."

The resolution was introduced by Reps. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) and Norine Hammond (R-Macomb). Swanson commented on the resolution on the House floor, noting that Weist probably saved the lives of several school children who were crossing Route 150 approximately a mile away at the time of the incident.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) also commented on Weist's death via social media.

"Knox County lost a true community hero - Our family appreciates all those who have affectionately gone out of their way to help us get through the most unnecessary, heartbreaking, painful, deplorable, tragic loss of our lives," ISP said in a statement posted on Twitter. "We are deeply beholden and grateful to all of you. The community of Knox County came to a complete stop that dreadful morning. The community bear witness to the loss of our hero, husband, father, son, brother, grandson. We are more than grateful for you all and we know that you too are feeling the loss."