SR1167 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1167 LRB101 20992 LAW 71081 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lt. Thomas M. "Tommy" Houser of Sullivan, who passed away on February 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Houser was born in Decatur to Thomas R. and Nona (Bodine) Houser on March 3, 1967; he married Elizabeth Myers in Decatur on June 18, 1988; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Houser's law enforcement career spanned more than 31 years; he started with the Sullivan Police Department; he then served in the Moultrie County Sheriff's Department before joining the Illinois State Police after graduating in Cadet Class 100; and

WHEREAS, As an officer in the Illinois State Police, Lt. Houser was first assigned to District 10 Patrol; he transferred to Zone 5 Investigations in 2002, where he served in the capacity of the Methamphetamine Response Team; he was promoted to Sergeant in 2006; he became a hostage negotiator for the Illinois State Police in 2007; he took command of the East Central Illinois Task Force (ECITF) and was promoted to Master Sergeant in 2009; he became the Zone 5 Lieutenant and transitioned within the department to the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in 2015, where he proudly remained for the duration of his career, in addition to serving as Chief of Staff for Colonel Jill Rizzs; he supervised General Criminal Investigations, the East Central Illinois Task Force, and the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group; he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2018; he retired from the Illinois State Police on October 1, 2019; and

WHEREAS, During his career, Lt. Houser was awarded a Life Saving Award, a department commendation, multiple letters of appreciation, and a Certificate of Recognition; he consistently performed his duties to the highest standards and personally epitomized the Illinois State Police's tenets of Integrity, Service, and Pride; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Houser was a member of the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #41, Teamsters Local 700, and the Moultrie County Dive Team; he also served as a Moultrie County Dare Officer; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Houser was preceded in death by his father, Thomas R. Houser; his mother-in-law, Nancy Myers; and his maternal and paternal grandparents; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Houser is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his sons, Kyler T. Houser and Kedrick H. Houser; Kedrick's fiancé, Keeley Benning; his mother, Nona Houser; his father-in-law, James Myers (Helen); his brother, Richard L. (Justi) Houser; his sister, Michele (Chris) Brownlow; his stepbrother, James (Karen) Hancock; his niece, Raeshel (Stephen) Duncan; his nephews, Dominick (Tabatha) Braden, Austin Cory (Robin), and Dalton Brownlow; his great-niece, Layne Cory, with another great-niece expected in June; his great-nephews, Cannon and Talon Bradon; his special aunt, Maggie Myers; his several other beloved aunts and uncles; his friends; and the law enforcement officers' families; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lt. Thomas M. "Tommy" Houser 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 Lt. Houser as an expression of our deepest sympathy.