9 law enforcement officers, 3 K9s who died in the line of duty honored in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — Thursday was a day to remember in Springfield, as nine law enforcement officers and three K9s were memorialized in a ceremony held to honor those who died in the line of duty in Illinois last year.

“Here we are again and again and again to grieve and to support each other and adding more names to the list of fallen officers,” Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said. “A list we wish was empty.”

In 2024, officers from across the state made the ultimate sacrifice.

Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns

Illinois Department of Corrections Officer Sergeant Andrew Faught

Chicago Police Officer James Crowley

Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca

Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Christine Musil

Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins

Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen

Cook County Sheriff’s Corrections Officer Rafael Wordlaw

Lake County Sheriff’s K9 “Dax”

Rockford Police Department’s K9 “Nyx”

Alton Police Department’s K9 “Odin”

Twelve names Governor JB Pritzker said will always be remembered.

“Countless acts of every day kindness—comforting a scared child, changing a tire for an elderly driver, volunteering at a community event. There was often no act too small for them,” Pritzker said. “These officers touched our lives in countless ways, so to the families of the fallen, who are here with us today, know that the entire State of Illinois stands with you, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart.

“We are here to honor your loved ones but also to honor you to hold you up and to embrace you as our own family.”