Chambana Sun

Veteran state Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) has proven instrumental in the enactment of a resolution that honors the memory of Officer Chris Oberheim.

“I'd like to thank Rep. (Dan) Caulkins and Leader (Carol) Ammonds for helping put together this resolution and I would just ask the body to please keep the community of Champaign-Urbana in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this rough time,” Marron said in a video posted to YouTube.

A Champaign police officer, Oberheim was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance in which another officer was injured and the gunman was killed by police.  

According to several media outlets, the 44-year-old Oberheim was shot while getting out of his police vehicle and later died at an area hospital. Authorities identified the gunman as 24-year-old Darion Marquise Lafayette of Champaign.

“His only intention was to serve, protect and help provide care before he was senselessly fired upon and killed,” Champaign Chief of Police Anthony Cobb said in a statement. “A true professional and devoted public servant, Officer Oberheim is remembered for his heroism, bravery, and the oath of office he honorably upheld in his commitment to duty.”

Oberheim had been with the Champaign Police Department since 2008 after beginning his career with the Decatur Police Department.

 “The Champaign Police Department, and the entire City of Champaign organization, expresses its deepest condolences to Officer Oberheim’s family, friends and loved ones,” Cobb said. "I also want to express my care and support for all members of the Champaign Police Department who are mourning the passing of their friend and colleague. We ask that Officer Oberheim’s family, and other Champaign Police Officers’ and their families’ privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

Marron urged everyone to keep Champaign-Urbana in their thoughts.

“It is a wonderful, wonderful community,” he said. “it's home to the land-grant university of our state. There's a lot of pride in Champaign-Urbana. It’s a very close, tight-knit community and we're struggling right now. And, so, I just asked everybody to keep not only the family in your thoughts and prayers, but our community of Champaign-Urbana as well.”