Legislation to designate a section of U.S. Route 150 from Galesburg to Alpha as the “Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist Memorial Highway” was approved by the Illinois House of Representatives.
Knox County Deputy Weist gave his life on April 29, 2022, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a fleeing suspect. Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) spoke on the floor of the Illinois House on House Joint Resolution 17.
On April 29, 2022, Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist was struck and killed by a vehicle as he deployed spike strips during a vehicle pursuit of an armed subject.
Officers from the Galesburg Police Department had responded to a call involving an armed subject at a local gas station at about 8 a.m. The man fled in a vehicle, and the Galesburg officers initiated a pursuit. Deputy Weist was deploying spike strips on U.S. Route 150 at N 150th Avenue in Henry County when the vehicle struck him. The subject’s vehicle then crashed into a field, and he was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.
The man was charged with two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Swanson recognized Deputy Weist’s heroism and credited his sacrifice with potentially saving the lives of children at the nearby AlWood Elementary School who were crossing the highway at the same time as the pursuit.
Deputy Weist had served with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for four years and previously served with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and Aledo Police Department. He is survived by his wife, two children, mother, father, and sister.
The resolution, approved by the House on Thursday, must now be approved by the Illinois Senate.
