Latest news with #CoreyThompsen
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
ISP troopers killed on duty to be honored in Washington, D.C.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The Illinois State Police are going to honor, in Washington, D.C., two troopers who were killed in the line of duty. With National Police Week kicking off on May 11, the state police will take this time to honor Corey Thompsen and Clay Carns, who both died because of injuries sustained in traffic crashes, said a release from the agency. 'National Police Week is especially poignant for ISP this year as we honor both Trooper Corey Thompsen and Trooper Clay Carns, who were killed in the line of duty in 2024, and recognize them and their families for making the ultimate sacrifice,' ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said in a news release. Troopers with the state police will be attending the event in Washington D.C., not only to mourn the loss of these two, but also to show support to officers from other agencies who lost their lives on duty. Clay Carns, 35, was killed on Interstate 55 after being hit by a car while trying to clear debris off the road. The collision took place in Will County on southbound Interstate 55 near Channahon. Just after 9:40 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, Carns was outside his squad car and in the roadway just north of Blodgett Road, when a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck collided with Carns, according to the state police. The driver of the truck, John Fleet, was not injured and remained at the scene, Kelly said. The Will County State's Attorney's Office charged Fleet with a Scott's Law violation. The state police also cited him for multiple traffic citations. At approximately 3:42 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2024, Corey Thompsen was on duty finishing a traffic enforcement detail in Champaign. He was traveling east on East Leverett Road, approaching County Road 1300 East. A truck, driven by 32-year-old Helen Torres of Thomasboro, was traveling south on County Road 1300 E. and stopped at the intersection with Leverett Road. Torres then pulled into the roadway, striking Thompsen's motorcycle. A witness provided aid until first responders arrived and took him to Carle Foundation Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Torres was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way at a Stop Intersection and No Valid Driver's License – Expired Less than 1 Year. They will be honored throughout the week in D.C. with events such as a candlelight vigil and the National Memorial Service, which are open to the public, the release said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
St. Joseph community remembers Trooper Thompsen with volleyball game fundraiser
ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (WCIA) — In October, Illinois State Trooper Corey Thompsen tragically died in a motorcycle accident. Now, his hometown of St. Joseph is making sure his legacy is one of opportunity for others. On Monday, St. Joseph Middle School held a fundraising event during the school's volleyball game to support the Trooper Thompsen Scholarship Fund. Fallen IL State Trooper Thompsen remembered by loved ones Volleyball coach Jill Lubinski said Thompsen remains engraved and endeared within the St. Joseph community. 'He was a student at our school. His wife was a student at our school. His mother is a teacher at our school. So there are a lot of personal connections to our school family,' Lubinski said. 'So this is just a way that we are able to do something and give back to them.' 28-year-old Trooper Corey Thompsen was finishing a traffic enforcement detail in October when his motorcycle was hit by a truck. He later died at the hospital. People could support the scholarship in his honor in multiple ways, including participating in a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, buying t-shirts and more. Fallen ISP Trooper Thompsen honored in press conference For teacher and organizer Steve Svendsen, the community turnout was simply amazing. 'This is just showing us St. Jo and the kind of community we live in,' Svendsen said. 'When something like this happens, people step up.' All proceeds of the night will go directly to one graduating student from St. Joseph-Ogden High School who is planning to follow in Officer Thompsen's footsteps and study criminal justice in the future. 'These things happen. And as a result, we now have something that we can do to memorialize Corey,' Svendsen said. 'And I think that's just an amazing thing to do because he was such an important part of our community, and we can remember it this way.' Organizers are still working out how students will be able to apply and how the winner will be picked. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
