HENRY COUNTY, Illinois — A Knox County deputy died after a fleeing suspect hit him with a car along U.S. Highway 150 Friday morning, April 29, according to the Illinois State Police.
The identity of the sheriff's deputy is not being released at this time. Those who wish to support the Knox County Sheriff's Office can drop off items at the Galesburg City Hall.
Later Friday evening, officials from several law enforcement agencies and the Henry County State's Attorney's Office held a press conference on the incident.
That's when officials identified the suspect as 22-year-old Daylon K. Richardson of Granite City, Illinois. Richardson faces the following charges: two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, aggravated fleeing and eluding. Richardson is being held at the Henry County Jail with no bond.
ISP Director Brendan Kelly issued the following statement on Friday:
“Today, law enforcement of Knox County, and all of Illinois, are hurting after suffering a tremendous loss with the line of duty death of a Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy. The State Police extend our heartfelt prayers, support, and love to the Knox County Deputy’s family, friends, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. There is no safety or justice without the law, there is no law without law enforcement, and there is no law enforcement without brave souls like this Knox County Deputy. The Illinois State Police are working with our local law enforcement partners to investigate this terrible crime and pursue maximum justice under the law.”
According to the release, officers with the Galesburg Police Department responded to a call of a suspect with a gun at the Circle K Gas Station on Main Street in Galesburg. Two Galesburg officers located the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop before the suspect fled north on US-150.
The Knox County deputy began setting up spike strips at the intersection of US-150 and 150 Avenue in Henry County when he was struck by the suspect's vehicle. The suspect then crashed in a field north of the intersection, according to Illinois State Police.
"The Illinois State Police are terribly sorry to report the Deputy was killed in the line of duty," the department's release said. The Knox County Sheriff's Office requested the state department investigate the incident.
Additional charges may come as a result of the investigation, according to Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty.
Knox County State's Attorney Jeremy Karlin will also be reviewing evidence for potential charges against Richardson, since the chase started in Galesburg.
"We have evidence to believe at this time that shots were fired from the vehicle at the pursuing vehicle, at the pursuit, and charges encompassing that behavior are expected," Karlin said at a press conference on Friday evening.
During that press conference, Knox County Sheriff David Clague said it is a sad day in Knox County.
"We are saddened, not only as a small group here, but the communities," Clague said. "Our communities should be very deeply saddened by this."
Many agencies responded to the incident, including the sheriff's offices for Henry, Warren, McDonough and Fulton counties. The Geneseo Police Department also responded.
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