Police memorial service honors fallen officers

Sam Lisec, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
·1 min read

May 15—URBANA — The road front of the Champaign County Courthouse was temporarily closed Tuesday morning as officers from various local law enforcement agencies assembled in the rain for an annual police memorial ceremony.

Michael Schlosser, retired director of the University of Illinois Police Training Institute, addressed the group and commended those who commit their lives to what he said is one of the most noble and selfless occupations in society.

Schlosser, who was also a lieutenant with the Rantoul Police Department, emphasized the need to honor those officers killed in the line of duty and brought attention to the how law enforcement officers have a 54 percent increased chance to die from suicide than those in the general public.

"They remain heroes as we mourn and honor them, we must be there for those family and friends who were left behind," Schlosser said.

"The families of those who have lost their loved ones are also part of the law enforcement family and will remain a part of our family for the remainder of their lives.

In addition to the rows of officers in attendance, various judges, courthouse staff and the family of Chris Oberheim, the Champaign officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2023, stood in the audience.

After the names of all the officers who have been killed in the line of duty in Champaign County were read aloud, the ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute.