SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Knox County sheriffs deputy killed in the line of duty in April will have part of a highway named after him.
Lawmakers during the fall veto session approved a resolution naming part of U.S. 150 the “Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist Memorial Highway.”
Weist was struck and killed, allegedly by Daylon Richardson, 23, of Granite City, as he was fleeing from police in Galesburg.
“We name things after heroes in this nation, and there’s no greater hero than Nick Weist, who died protecting his fellow citizens,” said State Rep. Swanson, one of the sponsors of the resolution, said, in a news release. “I am humbled and honored that my fellow representatives from both sides of the aisle joined me in recognizing Nick’s selfless sacrifice.”
Richardson, who’s facing charges in both Henry and Knox Counties connected to the chase, has had his case in Henry County delayed numberous times.
He’s scheduled back in court January 23rd.
The naming of the portion of the highway near the Knox-Henry County line comes as Knox County Sheriff David Clague is about to retire.
