SR0410 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0410 LRB103 33338 MST 63149 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Nicholas Santos "Nick" Hernandez-Renfro of Springfield, who passed away on July 9, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro was born in Springfield to Elmer C. and Linda Hernandez Renfro on August 24, 1986; he graduated from Ursuline Academy in 2004; in 2006, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a combat engineer; while deployed to Afghanistan, he received the Purple Heart for his heroic actions; he also served as the Modern Army Combatives instructor for the 832nd Engineer Company; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro earned his Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and a minor in Fire Science from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 2008, where he was a member of the rugby team; he married Tiffany Liebe on August 11, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro began his career in law enforcement in 2011; he served as a police officer for the Springfield Park District and later with the Springfield Police Department, where he worked as a field training officer, a SWAT operator, a firearms instructor, and as a member of the Street Crimes Unit; he had a passion for coaching fellow officers in defensive tactics, locally and abroad; he shared his knowledge through podcasts and instructional videos in an effort to fill a training void; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro was the owner of Paladin Combatives, a premier self-defense training facility specializing in martial arts and combat fitness for adults and children; hands-on combatives was a passion of his; he was trained in the Gracie University Jiujitsu system; he was a Gracie Survival Tactics instructor, a S.P.E.A.R.(Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response)instructor, and a former professional Mixed Martial Artist (MMA); in his own gym, he formed a junior MMA class to educate youth on not only the fundamentals of mixed martial arts but more importantly on how to deal with situations and scenarios involving bullying; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro lived to serve others and make a positive impact on their lives, no matter how big or small; he enjoyed participating in worthy causes, such as the annual Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, taking children shopping for shoes or supplies to start the school year, and being a mentor to at-risk youth; his kindness, empathy, compassion, selflessness, and ability to connect with anyone is evident when looking at the number of lives on which he has made a positive, lasting impact; he was a true leader because not only did he constantly seek knowledge but he also shared that knowledge with others to make everyone stronger; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro was a member of Destiny Church; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Mira Bella Renfro, and his brother, Gerald "Jerry" Renfro; and

WHEREAS, Nick Hernandez-Renfro is survived by his wife, Tiffany; his parents; his sisters, Nicki Renfro, Nani Hernandez, Ericka A. (Julius) White, Bianca Hernandez-Renfro, Kristin (Anthony) Oden, and Ashleigh (Ethan) Meiburg; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; his father-in-love and mother-in-love, Bruce and Christie Liebe; and a number of close friends, including his military family, his mixed martial arts mentors, and his sisters and brothers in blue; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Nicholas Santos "Nick" Hernandez-Renfro and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Nick Hernandez-Renfro as an expression of our deepest sympathy.