Fallen Illinois State Trooper honored in suburban memorial service
ORLAND PARK, Ill. - A fallen Illinois State Trooper is being remembered in the suburbs on Thursday.
Clay Carns, 35, lost his life while on duty last week. He was killed Dec. 23, just before Christmas Eve, along I-55 near Channahon when he was struck by a pickup truck while removing debris from the southbound lanes.
"We appreciate the tremendous support from this community, from the entire State of Illinois," said Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. "Every one of his fellow officers talks about what a great teammate he was. What a person of integrity he was, how trustworthy he was."
The driver was caught and is facing a felony charge for violating Scott's law, which requires drivers to slow down or move over when emergency vehicles are on the side of the road.
"People just got to slow down. They got to move over. You got to pay attention. Just give a damn about your fellow human being," said Kelly.
State police said there were 26 Scott's law-related crashes in Illinois last year, 13 of them causing injuries or death to troopers. Already this year, two squad cars were struck on New Year’s Day near Chicago. The troopers were not injured.
"It's hard to understand. I wish we were not here again, but the men and women who do this job, they do it because they love it. They do it because they are selfless. They do it because they are brave and no one's going to stop them," said Kelly.
A visitation is ongoing at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park until 8 p.m. The funeral service is set for 10 a.m. Friday.
Carns, a member of the Illinois State Police for 11 years, leaves behind a wife and two young children. His family described him as a treasured husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, noting he was already their hero before his death.
First responders were invited to walk through the service at 5 and 6 p.m. to show their support.
The family said in a statement: "Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life with such purpose. He loved his family and friends fiercely, and he took great pride in his work."
The services are open to the public. Donations may be made to the Trooper Clay Carns Memorial Fund – follow this link for more information.