Local man recalls Trooper Albin as funny guy who saved lives

Posted on July 5, 2017

By Howard Packowitz

FARMER CITY – Central Illinois bids farewell to fallen State Police Trooper Ryan Albin, with a visitation today and funeral services Thursday at Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City.

Albin, an officer for State Police District 6 in Pontiac, was killed a week ago when his squad car collided with a truck on I-74 near Farmer City.

A man from Normal remembers Albin as an officer who took his job seriously, but not necessarily himself. Ronald Geske used to be a court clerk and recalls Albin stood out among hundreds of other officers who showed up at court to testify in traffic and other cases.

“He had a personality that was just like glue that just stuck on you,” said Geske.

“He was funny. He could be serious when he had to be,” Geske also said.

Geske was especially impressed with Albin’s ability to take drunk drivers off the road.

“He was protecting the laws and protecting people. He saved a lot of people’s lives, really,” Geske added.

Albin received commendations for accumulating one-hundred or more DUI arrests in 2009 and 2010. Two years ago, he was nominated for District 6 officer of the year.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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