|
 At 9 a.m., the pair of vehicles had just gone under the
Williamsville overpass in the southbound lane. A semi
tractor-trailer, with a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel,
plowed into the patrol car from behind. The impact pushed the car
forward into the paint truck. With a high volume of flammable
materials on board the paint truck, it and the patrol car exploded
and burned fiercely. Office Skeeters was killed instantly. He was a
12 year veteran with the State Police, married, with three young
kids.
This past Friday in Williamsville, a special ceremony was held,
dedicating the overpass as the Trooper Bernard Skeeters Memorial
Overpass. The event was hosted by Illinois Senator Sam McCann,
Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz, and Illinois Department
of Transportation Assistant Secretary Rich Brauer.
A large crowd turned out for the event which included several
members of the Illinois State Police, family members of Skeeters,
residents and representatives from the Village of Williamsville,
State Representative Tim Butler, and the Illinois Concerns of Police
Survivors (I.C.O.P.S.) bicyclers who were on their annual journey
from Alton to Chicago.
 Colonel Mike Zerbona of the Illinois State Police Division of
Operations served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.
The morning began with a call to order of all the officers and
I.C.O.P.S and the presentation of colors by a State Trooper Honor
Guard. The opening prayer was offered by Illinois State Police
Chaplain Delbert Penrod.
Zerbona spoke recognizing the state and county representatives on
hand as well as family members of other deceased troopers including
the families of Trooper Ryan McMillian, Trooper Kyle Deatherage,
Trooper Rodney Miller, retired members of the Illinois State Police,
the I.C.O.P.S. organization as well as the current County Sheriffs
of Sangamon and Christian Counties.
Zerbona said that it was fitting that a memorial should be made to
Trooper Skeeters at this overpass and that it should serve as a
reminder to motorists to slow down and move over when approaching
road construction sites.
Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz was the next to speak
acknowledging the family of Trooper Skeeters saying that they were
always to be a part of the ISP family. He acknowledge and expressed
appreciation to Senator McCann, State Representative Cabello, and
Assistant Secretary Rich Brauer. He noted that those individuals had
worked diligently to accomplish this memorial, and their other work
in support of the ISP made a great deal of difference in the ISP’s
ability to serve the State of Illinois.
Schmitz also acknowledged the I.C.O.P.S. and the work they do with
the families of deceased troopers.
Next to speak, Senator Sam McCann coined an expression borrowing
from President Abraham Lincoln, “We cannot consecrate this land any
more or any greater than the sacrifice Trooper Skeeters paid.” He
also quoted a verse from the Bible “Greater love hath no man than he
lay down his life for a friend.” He noted that not only did Skeeters
make the ultimate sacrifice, but that his family also made that
sacrifice.
A framed copy of the State Resolution naming the overpass was read
aloud by Senator McCann before it was formally presented to the
Skeeters family. McCann invited Butler and Brauer to join in the
presentation. He noted that though Brauer is now the Secretary, when
the resolution was first introduced Brauer was a State
Representative who supported the resolution in the State House of
Representatives.
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The plaque was then presented to Skeeters widow and children.
Assistant Secretary Brauer spoke briefly, thanking the Skeeters family, the
troopers present and all those families who have lost loved ones in the line of
duty. He said that it was good that people should gather in remembrance of
Skeeters, and that the people of Illinois should never forget all those troopers
who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The next person to speak was Williamsville Village President Tom Yokley. In
addition to his service to Williamsville, Yokley is also a retired state trooper
who knew and worked with Skeeters. He shared a brief story about the late
trooper, remembering him as a man who looked for the good in even the worst of
people, and made a point of finding something to like about everyone he met,
even those he arrested. Yokley said that was the kind of man Skeeters was,
always positive, always seeing the value in other people.
Chaplain Dave McLarin with I.C.O.P.S. also spoke. He remembered his visit as a
representative of his organization when he went to the home of Skeeters son,
Ron, 32 years after the death. He said he was nervous about knocking on that
door, but it had opened a door to a new and very important friendship. McLarin
spoke about how that friendship became important to both men, and how that Ron
Skeeters ultimately decided that he and his family wanted the I.C.O.P.S group to
be included in this special day of memory.
The last person to speak was Skeeters son, Ron. He spoke with heartfelt emotion
about his father, the day he learned his father had died, and the aftermath of
passing the site where the horrible accident had occurred. He spoke about his
father as a good officer, a good husband and father, a friend to many, and a
great man.
Skeeters also offered a sincere thank-you to Senator McCann, Secretary Brauer
and the many others who contributed to bringing the naming of the overpass in
Williamsville to fruition.
Skeets also commented on the attitude of many Americans toward police officers
in the current day. He noted that the profession was not a popular one, but it
is a necessary one. He told the troopers and other officers present that not
everyone looks at them negatively. “There are those of us who know the
sacrifices you make, and we are grateful that you continually put your life on
the line,” he concluded.
The day ended with a ceremonial playing of bagpipes as the audience observed
solemn silence.
[Nila Smith] |
