HR0272 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0272 LRB101 11994 ALS 59218 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is appropriate for us to remember the many sacrifices and contributions members of the law enforcement community make while protecting the safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 21 honored Illinois State Police Trooper Michael McCarter, Paxton Police Department Patrolman William Caisse, civilian Donald Vice, who were killed during a traffic stop in I-57, and Paxton Police Department Patrolman Larry C. Hale, who was wounded during the traffic stop, by naming the overpass at 200 North Road, crossing I-57 South, near Paxton as the "McCarter-Caisse-Vice-Hale Memorial Overpass"; and

WHEREAS, Trooper McCarter served as a Marine Sergeant in Vietnam; he was a nine-year veteran of the Illinois State Police and was assigned to District 6A; he was survived by his wife and son; and

WHEREAS, Patrolman Caisse was a veteran of the United States Army and served in Vietnam; he had been with the Paxton Police Department for three years; he was survived by his wife, his son, his two daughters, his parents, his four brothers, and his sister; and

WHEREAS, Donald Vice worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Pontiac; he was survived by his wife, his mother, his stepfather, his three daughters, his six sons, his two brothers, his three sisters, and his four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Patrolman Hale was shot in the chest with the bullet coming within inches of his heart; he fired back with his shotgun, hitting one of the shooters four times; the shooter fell to the ground, but then appeared to be reaching for his gun, so Hale fired his revolver, killing him; and

WHEREAS, April 7, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of this tragedy, and we remember the sacrifices these brave men made on April 7, 1979; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we remember the sacrifices and heroism of Illinois State Police Trooper Michael McCarter, Paxton Police Department Patrolman William Caisse, Paxton Police Department Patrolman Larry C. Hale, and civilian Donald Vice on the 40th anniversary of the shooting incident on I-57; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the families of Trooper McCarter, Paxton Patrolman Caisse, and Donald Vice, and to Paxton Patrolman Hale, the Illinois State Police, the Paxton Police Department, and Paxton Mayor J. William Ingold.