By Grace Friedman
Medill Reports
Tears, applause, tributes and bagpipers playing “Amazing Grace” filled the Illinois State Library earlier this month as families, police colleagues and state officials gathered to honor nine law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2024.
In a historic first, the passing of three police K-9s from Illinois canine units were also formally recognized at the annual Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony.
“We gather to mourn those who gave their lives serving and protecting their communities,” Gov. JB Pritzker told the hundreds of people assembled for the tribute. “Those who gave their lives serving and protecting their communities.”
This year’s ceremony marked the memorial event’s 40th anniversary. What began with a modest budget and a small tribute in 1985 has become a show of statewide recognition and solidarity.
This year’s event honored DeKalb County Deputy Sheriff Christina Musil, Department of Corrections Sgt. Andrew Faught, Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca, Cook County Corrections Deputy Sheriff Rafael Wordlaw, Chicago Police Officer James Crowley, Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen, Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, Oak Park Detective Allan Reddins and ISP Trooper Clay Carns.
Three K-9 officers, Dax, Nyx and Odin, were also honored. Their recognition, along with the presence of K-9s in the audience with their police handlers, marks the first time animals have been formally added to the memorial.
“For anyone who’s a K-9 handler, it’s not just a tool, it’s your partner, your best friend,” said Deputy John Colenza, who attended the ceremony to honor his late partner, K-9 Dax. “You spend more time with them than your own family. They’re there to save your life, and sometimes give theirs in return.”
The state’s Constitutional officers joined Pritzker on the stage for the event, including Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, all of whom paid tribute to the fallen officers.The family members of the fallen officers who have died in the line of duty and members of the Illinois General Assembly, including legislative leaders, were also in attendance.
Former longtime Secretary of State Jessie White, who has attended the ceremony 22 times, received warm applause when he appeared and spoke of the importance of the event. “So, for the law enforcement officers, thank you for giving, thank you for caring and thank you for making a difference,” he said.
The ceremony traditionally takes place near the Illinois Police Memorial, a monument on the grounds of the state Capitol building. However, rain prompted organizers to move this year’s event indoors. The ceremony is usually held on the first Thursday in May.
A large American flag was displayed above the crowd in the library. Rows of police officers in their dress blues filled the audience, along with widows and family members. Scores of officers lined the successive balconies stretching up to the ceiling, holding their hands over their hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening and standing at attention when the bagpipers on a balcony played a mournful rendition of “Amazing Grace” at the end.
An interfaith church service was also held that day in Springfield.
At the memorial ceremony, Stratton told the audience, “The families that we induct today never asked to be a part of this somber club.”
When she addressed the crowd, Medoza, whose brother is a police officer, used the occasion to harshly highlight ongoing political debates surrounding public safety legislation.
She expressed concern for policies that allow individuals accused of violent crimes to be released on electronic monitoring, citing the recent death of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, who was honored and remembered at the event. The suspect in that case was reportedly out on monitoring at the time of the incident.
“When we give more rights to the criminals than we do to our police officers, we end up with dead officers and increased crime in our communities,” Medoza said.
She pointed to provisions in Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, a 2021 criminal justice reform law, as contributing to what she described as unsafe conditions for law enforcement. While the legislation was designed to address inequities in the justice system, critics like Mendoza argue some provisions may put officers and the public at risk.
Her remarks included a call for lawmakers to re-examine and revise specific aspects of the law, stating, “There’s no shame in course correcting, but there is shame in not fixing our mistakes.”
As the plaques with names were handed to the grieving families, many in attendance stood silently, some holding photographs of loved ones, others embracing and fighting back tears.
While state leaders expressed hope no more names would be added to the Peace Memorial Wall in the future, the ceremony served as a reminder of the daily risks law enforcement officers face and the personal and policy decisions that impact their safety.
The Illinois Police Officers Memorial Committee hosts the event annually, pledging to remember those who served and died in the line of duty — and to support those who continue to serve. The governor called them “Illinois’ bravest.”
“We’ve gathered today in unity with you to honor their sacrifice,” Pritzker said, “and to affirm to you and their brothers and sisters in law enforcement that they will never be forgotten.”
Grace is a Video and Broadcast Specialization graduate student at Medill. You can follow her on Instagram at @gracefriedmanjourno