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 "Trooper McMillen served his country and state with honor,
sacrifice and dedication. His death cuts tragically short a life
full of talent and promise. My heart and prayers go out to trooper
McMillen's wife and family. And I thank all those who protect and
serve the state of Illinois for their dedication and service,"
Blagojevich said.
McMillen's squad car was struck by two drunk drivers early Sunday
morning when he was responding to a call for help from Sangamon
County sheriff's deputies after a fight broke out at a bar east of
Springfield. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
McMillen is survived by his wife, parents, and 10 brothers and
sisters.
Visitation was Tuesday evening at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral
Home, 900 S. Sixth St. in Springfield. Illinois State Police posted
an honor guard throughout the visitation. The funeral Mass will be
at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, 303 S.
Locust St. in Pana. Burial, immediately following the service, will
be at Calvary Cemetery in Pana, with honors provided by Air National
Guard and the Illinois State Police.
The governor's proclamation, issued Tuesday, reads as follows:
WHEREAS, on Sunday, October 28, Illinois State Police Trooper
Brian McMillen was killed in the line of duty while responding to a
call for assistance; and
WHEREAS, Trooper McMillen, a 24-year-old Pana native, enlisted in
the Illinois Air National Guard in 2000 and rose to the rank of
technical sergeant in the 183rd Fighter Wing. He served three
separate deployments, including stints in Saudi Arabia and Italy;
and
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 WHEREAS, in 2005, Trooper McMillen received his Bachelor's degree
in criminal justice from the University of Illinois at Springfield,
where he played basketball and was named to the Deans' List; and
WHEREAS, the following year, Trooper McMillen married his wife
Angela, also a member of the 183rd, before graduating from Illinois
State Police training as president of his cadet class in 2007. He
was assigned to District 9, which includes Sangamon County, and
began working the overnight shift; and
WHEREAS, Trooper McMillen was on his way to help Sangamon County
Sheriff Deputies deal with a bar fight in Illiopolis when he was
killed in a three-vehicle crash involving two alleged drunken
drivers at Dye and Calvary Cemetery roads, just south of Interstate
72; and
WHEREAS, a funeral for Trooper McMillen, who is also survived by
his parents and ten siblings, will be held Wednesday, October 31 at
Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Pana:
THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of
Illinois, do hereby order all State facilities to fly Illinois flags
at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on October 31, 2007 in honor
and remembrance of Illinois State Police Trooper Brian McMillen,
whose selfless service and courage is an inspiration.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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