By Eric Stock

FARMER CITY – Funeral services have been scheduled for the state trooper who was killed in a crash on Interstate 74 near Farmer City Wednesday.

There will be a visitation from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and a funeral service at 10 a.m. Thursday at Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City for Ryan Albin, 37, the 11-year veteran at Illinois State Police District 6 based in Pontiac.

Albin played football at Eureka College where his coaches remember his personality more than anything. Darrell Crouch spoke with news partner WMBD-TV.

“Really great smile, really great smile as far as make you feel special, stop and see you during the day, you know like I said just comes from a really good family, a really hard tragedy all the way around,” Crouch said.

Coach Kurt Barth said Albin’s teammates and coaches became his second family.

“When something like this happens, you know it triggers memories, sometimes because of you know that family atmosphere we’ve created,” Barth said. “While you don’t always have that direct connection day in and day out, they’re still a part of your family and still a part of your heart and soul from the day you meet, until the day we’re gone.”

Albin died hours after the crash involving his squad car and a semi. His K-9 Biko sustained minor injuries.

The cause of Wednesday’s crash remains under investigation.

Albin was a Blue Ridge High School graduate in 1998. The school’s Facebook page posted a message: “We are keeping Ryan’s family as well as the law enforcement community in our prayers at this very difficult time.”

The school noted Albin was voted “Best Personality” in the school’s yearbook.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].