SJ0024 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0024 LRB099 12132 GRL 34839 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to individuals who gave their lives in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Douglas County Chief Deputy Tommy K. Martin's last watch occurred on June 21, 2007, when he was shot while pursuing armed suspects fleeing a home invasion robbery; he held on to life until July 17, 2007, when he finally succumbed to his wounds while at the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana; and

WHEREAS, Chief Deputy Martin became an Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigator in 1978; after retiring from the Illinois State Police, he served as Chief Deputy Sheriff of Douglas County beginning in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Chief Deputy Martin was a deacon of the Tuscola United Church of Christ; he was a member of the Tuscola Warrior Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1009 and Tuscola American Legion Post #27 and served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War; he was posthumously awarded the prestigious Law Enforcement Medal of Honor in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Chief Deputy Martin is survived by his son; his daughter and son-in-law; a brother; and 3 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 45 as it passes through Douglas County between Pesotum and Tuscola as the Tommy K. Martin Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, and, in particular, the intersection of the "Hayes Road" and Illinois Route 45, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the Tommy K. Martin Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation and the family of Tommy K. Martin.