Nicholas Weist updates: Law enforcement from around the region, public honor fallen deputy

GALESBURG — Law enforcement from all corners of Illinois and neighboring states joined the public to pay tribute to fallen Knox County Sheriff's deputy Nicholas Weist during a memorial service Saturday at Galesburg High School.

Weist was hit and killed by a car Friday morning as he was setting out spike strips at the intersection of U.S. Route 150 and 150th Avenue to stop a vehicle fleeing from Galesburg police.

This blog will be updated regularly with updates.

SUNDAY, MAY 8

10 a.m.: Law enforcement from around the region, public honor fallen deputy

FRIDAY, MAY 6

10 a.m.: Gov. JB Pritzker instructs flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Nicholas Weist

Gov. JB Pritzker instructed the U.S. flag to be lowered to half-staff starting today, Friday May 6 until sunset on Saturday, May 7 in honor and remembrance of Deputy Nicholas Weist of the Knox County Sheriff's Department who was killed in the line of duty.

8 a.m.: Public encouraged to line processional route Saturday

According to a news release from the Illinois State Police, the public is highly encouraged to line the processional route Saturday to show support for fallen Knox County Sheriff's deputy Nicholas Weist.

A public memorial service for Weist is set for 2 p.m. Saturday in Galesburg High School's Thiel Gymnasium, 1135 W. Fremont St. An ISP spokesperson said per the families' wishes, no media will be allowed inside the school for the memorial service.

The memorial service will be live streamed on the Galesburg High School Youtube channel.

Here are the procession routes, provided by Illinois State Police:

From Dennison Funeral Home to Galesburg High School the procession will follow the below route at a low speed. Intersections along the route will be blocked to allow for safe travel of the vehicles in the procession. The public is highly encouraged to line the route to show support.

Departure: Dennison Funeral Home to Galesburg High School – Saturday, May 7, 2022 at approximately 11:15 a.m.

• Leave Dennison Funeral Home and head Southbound Route 67

• Turn Eastbound on 1st Ave (Hunt St) in Alexis

• Turn Southbound Kelly St (120th St)

• Turn Eastbound on IL-164 • Turn Northbound on Linwood Rd.

• Turn Eastbound on W Fremont St to Galesburg High School

At the conclusion of the memorial service, the procession will follow the below route at a low speed. Intersections along the route will be blocked to allow for safe travel of the vehicles in the procession. The public is highly encouraged to line the route to show support.

Deputy Weist Memorial Services Procession

Departure: Galesburg High School – Saturday, May 7, 2022 immediately following memorial services and first responder walkthrough at approximately 3:30 p.m.

• Leave Galesburg High School and go West on Fremont Street

• Turn North on Carl Sandburg Drive

• Turn South on Seminary Street

• Arrive and Crematory at intersection of Walsh.

More: 'Everybody loved him': How Illinois towns honor fallen Knox County Sheriff's deputy Nick Weist

7 a.m.: ROWVA students hang blue ribbons around Rio

6 a.m.: Blue lights at Knox County Courthouse shine in memory of Nicholas Weist

Knox County Sheriff's Department maintenance crew employees Adam Roller and Jimmy O'Brien have set up blue lights at the Knox County Courthouse to honor fallen deputy Nicholas Weist. The lights will remain up until further notice.

THURSDAY, MAY 5

2:30 p.m.: Volunteers needed to help set up 2,000 American flags to honor Nicholas Weist

The Flagman's Mission is asking for volunteers to help set up 2,000 American flags Friday outside of Galesburg High School, where the memorial service for fallen Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Weist will take place Saturday.

Setup starts at 9:15 a.m. Friday at Galesburg High School, 1135 W. Fremont St.

President of Flagman's Mission Continues Jeff Hastings will give instructions about how to properly insert and unfurl the flags at the event, which is expected to last about two hours with an ample amount of helpers.

Volunteers are asked to wear gloves and bring comfortable walking shoes. Pickup trucks are also welcome to help take flags from the trailer at the school to the designated flag locations.

The effort will resume at 9 a.m. Sunday when volunteers are needed to take down the flags.

For more information, call or text Jeff Hastings at (618) 409-0323.

9:30 a.m.: Law enforcement holding 24/7 watch over Nicholas Weist and family

From Dennison Funeral Home in Viola, via Facebook: The outpouring of kindness from this community (and beyond) for the Weist family has been heartwarming. We’d like to take a moment to share a special “Thank You”. Many may not know - but, since the moment Deputy Weist was taken from his family… he, nor his family, have been alone. Law enforcement from across the state have been watching over Deputy Weist (and his home/family) 24 hours a day, taking 12 hour ”Over Watch” shifts at the funeral home and house. Cheers on Main (Julie Rice) kindly donated lots of food, snacks, and drinks for the Officers/Deputies. Thank you, Cheers on Main!

9:15 a.m.: Element Coffeehouse and Gifts in Alpha donating tips

9 a.m.: Tres Cafe in Galesburg donating Friday sales to family of Nicholas Weist

8 a.m.: Koffee Junktion in Aledo doing a pay-it-forward in honor of Nicholas Weist

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

2:28 p.m.: The family of Nicholas Weist issues thanks for the outpouring of support

Via the Illinois State Police, the family of fallen Knox County Sheriff's Department deputy Nicholas Weist has issued the following statement:

"Knox County lost a true community hero — Our family appreciates all those who have affectionately gone out of their way to help us get through the most unnecessary, heartbreaking, painful, deplorable, tragic loss of our lives. We are deeply beholden and grateful to all of you.

"The community of Knox County came to a complete stop that dreadful morning. The community bear witness to the loss of our hero, husband, father, son, brother, grandson. We are more than grateful for you all and we know that you too are feeling the loss.

"The police departments — all of them throughout Illinois — their unconditional, voluntary, all-encompassing service to Nick, our family and extended family is meticulously carried out and ongoing.

"A very special thank you to Illinois COPS/100 Club team, Dennison Funeral Home and Galesburg High School.

"Our world has been turned upside down, obliterated and hopelessly broken. Please be mindful of what you post and share on social media."

Per the family’s request, no interviews will be conducted. Additional information will be released in the coming days concerning funeral services. Inquiries about the incident can be directed to the Illinois State Police at ISP.PIO.PERSONNEL@ILLINOIS.GOV.

7:33 a.m.: Village of Rio is hanging blue ribbons

Tonight at 6 p.m., the village of Rio is hanging blue ribbons around town in honor of Deputy Nick Weist. Students will receive community service hours for helping honor the fallen hero.

TUESDAY, MAY 3

7:51 p.m.: Illinois Attorney General issues statement on the death of Knox County Sheriff's Deputy

Via Twitter: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul sends condolences to the Weist family and the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

3:47 p.m.; Galesburg track team runs for Nicholas Weist

According to the Galesburg Police Department Facebook page, the Galesburg Jr. High and Galesburg High School track team members, Knox County Sheriffs Department and Galesburg Police Department ran/walked a mile in memory of fallen Knox County Deputy Nick Weist.

MONDAY, MAY 2

8:18 p.m.: Running 4 Heroes Inc. raises money for the Weist family

Non-profit organization Running 4 Heroes has raised more than $23,000 for the family of Nicholas Weist.

According to its Facebook page, "Along with running to honor Deputy Weist on Monday, the Running 4 Heroes mission is also coordinating a fundraising campaign to help financially support the Weist family during this difficult time. This fundraising effort is being done with permission from the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

"100% of every dollar donated towards this fundraising effort over the course of the next two weeks will be donated back to the Weist Family."

The Galesburg High School boys and girls track teams ran for the cause Monday afternoon.

4:47 p.m.: FBI remembers Weist

Via Twitter: The #FBI sends our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist.

2:43 p.m: Gov. JB Pritzker sends condolences to Weist family

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statement via Twitter, remembering Nicholas Weist.

1 p.m.: Memorial service for Nicholas Weist set for Saturday at Galesburg High School

A public memorial service for Nicholas Weist, the Knox County sheriff's deputy killed in the line of duty Friday, will be held Saturday afternoon at Galesburg High School, 1135 W. Fremont St.

A memorial service, open to the public, is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday in John Thiel Gymnasium at GHS. A first responder walk-through will take place at the beginning of the service; lineup for the walk-through begins at 1 p.m.

Dennison Funeral Home of Viola — where Weist resided with his wife and two young children — is handling the arrangements.

Nicholas "Nick" Weist obituary: July 28, 1987 ~ April 29, 2022

SUNDAY, MAY 1

11 p.m.: Gubernatorial candidate issues prayers Weist

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan via Twitter:

8:32 p.m.: NYPD Chaplains Unit sends thoughts and prayers

Via Twitter: The New York Police Department Chaplains Unit sends thoughts and prayers to the family of Nicholas Weist

5:12 p.m: Mother of Nicholas Weist speaks about her son

1:10 p.m: What law enforcement is saying

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police issued the following statements on the line-of-duty death of Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Weist:

“Simple words cannot express the profound grief we feel at the loss of our friend, colleague and law enforcement brother Nick Weist,” Illinois FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood said. “Nick died performing a job he loved, protecting the citizens of Knox County, and his heroic sacrifice will always be remembered."

“Every law enforcement officer knows the worst can happen every time they go to work, but heroes like Nick still put on a badge every day to serve and protect their fellow citizens,” said Shawn Roselieb, executive director of the FOP Labor Council, the labor union that represents Knox County sheriff’s deputies. “Nick was a dedicated public servant. His loss touches everyone, and he will be deeply and sorely missed.”

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Tributes for fallen Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Weist