Chambana Sun

State Representative Brandun Schweizer expressed his condolences for a fallen Illinois State Police (ISP) Trooper in an October 18 Facebook post. He said, "I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Trooper Corey S. Thompsen while in the line of duty this afternoon."

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Trooper Corey S. Thompsen while in the line of duty this afternoon," said Schweizer, State Representative for 104th District (R), according to Facebook. "Thank you to the officers that came together for a procession this evening to honor the fallen officer. Officer Thompsen's friends and family are in my prayers."

According to a report from WCIA shared by Schweizer, ISP Trooper Corey Thompsen was struck at the intersection of Leverett Road in Champaign County on October 18 at approximately 3:42 p.m. after completing a traffic enforcement detail as part of a motorcycle patrol. Thompsen was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Screenshot of State Rep. Brandun Schweizer's Oct. 18 Facebook post | State Representative Brandun Schweizer

Helen Torres, 32, who stopped at the intersection and pulled into the roadway, struck Thompsen. She was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Thompsen was honored in a police procession from Urbana to St. Joseph starting at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 21, according to WCIA. A long line of law enforcement officers participated, and numerous community members gathered to pay their respects as his body was transported to Freese Funeral Home in St. Joseph.

"This is a sad moment. We are hurting," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly in an October 19 report from ABC7. "Corey's brothers and sisters in motor enforcement, Special Operation Group, Troop 7, patrol, the Zone, Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and across ISP are hurting. Corey's family is hurting badly today." Kelly added that this is the first trooper he personally administered the oath of an ISP officer to whom he has lost in a line-of-duty death.

The report also noted that Thompsen is survived by his wife Chelsea; his parents Susan and Steve; and his brothers.

According to the State Journal-Register, Thompsen had been with the ISP for nearly five years and died from his injuries around 4:30 p.m., despite receiving first aid from a witness following the accident.

The truck driver Helen Torres was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop intersection and not having a valid driver’s license (expired less than a year), as reported by the State Journal-Register.

Schweizer was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 104th House District following Rep. Mike Marron's retirement. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant and worked as a code enforcement inspector in Danville. Schweizer resides there with his wife and sons and created Tiny Troops Soccer program for young children living on military bases.