The family of fallen Knox County Deputy Nicholas Weist will have their mortgage paid off thanks to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Deputy Weist, a 10-year law enforcement veteran was struck and killed on April 29, 2022, as he was setting out spike strips to stop a suspect’s vehicle fleeing from police.
Tunnel to Towers is a non-profit that provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
Tunnel to Towers announced the gift for Weist’s family this week, as a part of their Season Of Hope, in which they announced 40 mortgage-free homes for America’s heroes.
The 34-year-old left behind his wife Jessica Weist, and his two children. Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgage on the family’s Viola, Illinois home.
Jessica is grateful for Tunnel to Towers’ support saying the gift has been a “huge blessing” and “it has helped relieve some of the financial burden of navigating a single-parent household now that Nick is no longer with us.”
Knox County Sheriff Jack Harlan tells WGIL,” This is truly a blessing for the Weist Family. Deputy Weist dedicated his life to his family and members of Knox County and as families eagerly anticipate celebrating the holiday season together, Jessica and her children must navigate the season without their beloved husband and father. Now instead of worrying about making a payment for their home. Jessica and the children can now focus on all the loving memories that were made by them and Nick. The Law Enforcement Community would like to thank Tunnel to Towers for making this possible.”
Weist started his career with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, before joining the Aledo Police Department and then serving with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in 2018. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Viola Fire Department