Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) spoke on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives on House Joint Resolution 17, legislation to designate a section of U.S. Route 150 from Galesburg to Alpha as the “Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist Memorial Highway.”
Knox County Deputy Weist gave his life on April 29, 2022, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a fleeing suspect. Swanson recognized Deputy Weist’s heroism and credited his sacrifice with potentially saving the lives of children at the nearby AlWood Elementary School who were crossing the highway at the same time as the pursuit.
The resolution, approved by the House on Thursday, must now be approved by the Illinois Senate.