PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Two members of the Illinois State University Police Department rode 390 miles across Illinois to honor fallen police officers.
Police Chief Aaron Woodruff and Detective Matthew Hice took to the highways and byways of Illinois as part of Cycle Across Illinois. They started in Champaign and ended a few days later in Chicago.
Their goal? To show respect to officers who lost their lives while on duty, according to a post on the ISU police department’s Facebook page. The ride benefits the group, Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors.
In 2024, there were 162 law enforcement officers and 20 police dogs who died nationwide in the line of duty. In Illinois, nine officers and three police dogs died, according to the group’s website.
City honors non-profits, local businesses, and neighbors
Woodruff said it meant a lot to him to be able to participate, since one of their officers died in the line of duty back in 2005.
“The purpose of the ride is to honor, remember, and support our fallen and support those survivors that are left behind. And so it means a lot to us to be able to continue to support this organization, both in Illinois and nationally,” he said.The chief said each year, the route can change to include communities who lost an officer.
This year, the ride began in Champaign to honor Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen, who died when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle while he was conducting a traffic stop.
Bicyclists then rode through Springfield, Bloomington/Normal, Dekalb, Downers Grove, before finishing at the Chicago Police Headquarters.
The other eight officers who were honored during the ride were Sgt. Andrew Faught, Deputy Sheriff Christina Musil, Trooper Clay Carns, Deputy Sheriff Rafael Wordlaw, Det. Allan Reddins, officers James Crowley, Luis Huesca and Enrique Martinez.
Three police dogs were also listed as those who died in 2024, including K9s Nyx, Dax and Odin.
More on those who died in the line of duty in 2024 can be found on the event’s website.
WMBD TV can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
