Law enforcement officers from across Illinois gathered in Springfield on Thursday to honor fallen colleagues during the annual Illinois Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) joined local, county, state, and federal agencies to pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The day began with a solemn squad car procession at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, followed by an interfaith church service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The memorial ceremony continued at the Illinois State Capitol, where officers, families, and supporters remembered those lost.
During the ceremony, officials recognized officers newly added to the memorial this year, including Officer Krystal Rivera of the Chicago Police Department, who died in the line of duty on June 5, 2025, and Detective Tim Jones of the Park Forest Police Department, who died on December 3, 2025.
The 2026 ceremony also honored historic heroes whose service and sacrifice date back more than a century. Among those recognized and their End of Watch include:
Constable Isom Gillham
Madison County Sheriff’s Office
12-11-1852
Detective Frank McCaskey
Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department
04-02-1918
Special Agent Edward Fay
Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department
11-22-1921
Special Agent Alexander Lang
Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department
09-17-1922
Probationary Patrolman Benjamin Devlin
Chicago Police Department
11-15-1922
Deputy Lindley Larrison
Madison County Sheriff’s Office
01-15-1925
Deputy Sheriff Charles Monaghan
Alexander County Sheriff’s Department
04-27-1936
Additionally, the 2026 Historic K-9 Honoree was K-9 Bear of the Illinois State Police, recognized for service ending on October 4, 1987.
In a statement, the Illinois State Police said the agency “thanks and honors all who serve in law enforcement,” underscoring the commitment and sacrifice of officers across the state.