Motorcycle ride raising money for scholarship in fallen Illinois State Trooper’s name

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Regulators Motorcycle Association hits the road for a benefit ride every September. Saturday, it was in honor of State Trooper Corey S. Thompsen.

Thompsen was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 18, 2024 when a car struck his motorcycle in Champaign County.

The Regulators are raising money for something the Thompsen family has been putting together all year long: the Corey S. Thompsen scholarship.

“They’ll hand out scholarships to individuals who want to seek higher education, and higher education in criminology and criminal justice,” said Randy McCormick, Regulators president.

The scholarship will go to students from St. Joseph-Ogden, Thompsen’s alma mater.

More than 150 riders raised money for the scholarship with 50/50 raffles, lottery boards and entry fees. The Regulators said there are some special stops along the route as well.

“Corey and his wife liked to go to the Sidney Dairy Barn, and we’ll be driving right past the dairy barn,” said Frank Carpenter, Regulators road captain. “And they liked to spend time at Kickapoo State Park so we’ll do a long loop through the park.”

Ultimately, the club is happy to help support something bigger than the ride itself.

“To honor his legacy and his memory, it’s amazing, it’s an amazing honor to be able to do that for him and his family,” said McCormick.