SR0016 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0016 LRB104 03190 ECR 13211 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Illinois State Trooper Corey Steven Thompsen of rural St. Joseph, who was killed in the line of duty on October 18, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Thompsen was born to Steve and Susan Thompsen in Urbana on August 28, 1996; he was raised in St. Joseph, graduating from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2014, where he was a four-year letter winner in cross country and track; he graduated from the criminal justice program at Danville Area Community College and then attended Western Illinois University, running cross country at both institutions; he earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana State University in 2018; he married Chelsea Blaase in Tennessee on June 2, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Thompsen began his career in law enforcement after graduating from the Southwestern Police Academy as part of Session 137, and he initially worked with the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (VMEG); he then attended the Illinois State Police Academy as a member of Cadet Class 130 from 2019 to 2020; he was assigned to Illinois State Police District 10 in Pesotum; he joined the Illinois State Police Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau in 2022; he was assigned to Central Special Operations Group (SOG) Fatal 4 Team in 2023, serving Troop 7; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Thompsen was proud of serving the Illinois State Police; he was especially proud of being part of the motor unit, viewing his colleagues as a second family and a tight-knit group of friends; during his service, he participated in several escort details across the State that included the president, the vice president, memorial services, and charity bike rides; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Thompsen was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Troopers Lodge 41, the Alpha Phi Sigma national criminal justice society, and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society; and

WHEREAS, Outside of his work, Trooper Thompsen loved vehicles, and he was particular about those he owned and took meticulous care of them; he loved attending family gatherings, and his favorite family activities involved teasing and joking with family members; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Thompsen was a family man who was always there when anyone needed him, a respected member of the Illinois State Police, and a friend to many; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Thompsen is survived by his wife, Chelsea; his parents; his brothers, Ryan and Mitchell; his parents-in-law, Doug and Nanci Blaase; his brother-in-law, Drew Blaase; his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Barbara Peters; his paternal grandparents, John and Donna Thompsen; a host of extended family members, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his German shepherds, Garmin and Grimm; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Illinois State Trooper Corey Steven Thompsen 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 Trooper Thompsen as an expression of our deepest sympathy.