Illinois leaders honor police officers killed in the line of duty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State leaders alongside police from all across Illinois traveled to Springfield Thursday to memorialize nine officers who in 2024 were killed in the line of duty.

Families and friends of those who had fallen came to the state capitol to honor the nine officers end of watch. Two of these officers were Illinois State Police troopers Clay Carns and Corey Thompson.

A speaker at the event was Kathleen Rittmanic-Emme. She is the sister of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic who was murdered in 2021.

"Your officer is a hero," Rittmanic-Emme said. "Please know their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Not now not ever."

The ceremony, hosted in the state library, had people from all over Illinois from officers to civilians.

As the names of those lost were read out, Illinois leaders embraced officers and family who've lost the ones they love. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said these fallen people will never be forgotten.

"[To] those who gave their lives serving and protecting their communities. Who's endless bravery and unwavering commitment to others compelled them to stand out in our defence and to run towards danger," Pritzker said.

The Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs told the story of his uncle, who had spent 40 years of his life in law enforcement. Frerichs received a call last year his uncle has passed away. He mourned the death of his uncle among others in the room.

Later in the ceremony, the Illinois comptroller Susana Mendoza took the time to criticize the SAFE-T act, a law signed in 2022 that abolished cash bail. Mendoza said the state has passed policies that "show more concern for the cop killer than for the cop."

"When we give more rights to the criminals then we do to our police officers, we end up with dead officers and increased crime in our communities," Mendoza said. "Besides offering condolences, let’s honor [the officers] sacrifice by fixing this. There’s no shame in course correcting. But there is shame in not fixing mistakes."

This caught the attention of state Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) who was one of the main supporters for the SAFE-T act. Peters said on X that the facts do not match Mendoza's statements.

"Crime statistics are trending favorably and I found the remarks of MAGA Mendoza to have been in poor taste," Peters said. "I would prefer we don’t play games with the truth in order to score some political points at a somber memorial."

The memorial recognized for the first time the canines that gave their lives in service of Illinois safety teams. The memorial committee gave their respects to the past K-9's who have died in service, alongside three canines who died just last year.