SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — On Thursday morning, the State of Illinois honored Knox County Deputy Nicholas Weist during the state's annual Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony at the state capitol.
The ceremony happened just over a year after a fleeing suspect struck and killed Weist as he was setting up spike strips at the intersection of U.S. Highway 150 and 150th Avenue in Henry County.
"Knox County Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Donald Weist felt his call to service since he was just a boy, and he lived by his values even in very his last moments," said Gov. J.B. Pritzker during the ceremony. "To say Deputy Sheriff Weist was a hero would be an understatement, but more than that, he was a giant in his community."
Weist not only protected his community, but he also taught his community how to protect itself, Pritzker said. Weist also spearheaded the explorer's program at Aledo High School.
"Deputy Sheriff Weist exemplified what it means to serve," Pritzker said.
Thursday's ceremony also honored other peace officers who died in the line of duty in 2022 as well as officers who died in the 1920s, 1940s and 1950s.
Weist's community honored him over the weekend as well, with Knox County declaring April 29 as "Deputy Nicholas Weist Day."
The man accused of hitting Weist, Daylon Richardson, now 23, faces several charges related to the incident, including two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Richardson's next court date is set for June 7.
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