Hundreds of first responders attend funeral for fallen Illinois State Police trooper Clay Carns
CHICAGO (CBS) — Funeral services were held Friday morning for Illinois State Police trooper Clay Carns, who was hit and killed by a truck just two days before Christmas.
It was a solemn goodbye amid an unrelentingly windy day, as a state trooper squad car was stationed outside the proceedings, covered in purple and black bunting.
The procession from the Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park started around noon and ended at his final resting place at a cemetery in Alsip, 22 miles away. Illinois State Police invited people to line the procession route in a show of support for Carns and his family. Hundreds of responders attended.
Carns, 35, who had been with the department for 11 years, was killed on Dec. 23 while clearing debris from the roadway on I-55 near Channahon when he was hit and killed by a pickup truck. Carns' vehicle was on the shoulder with its lights on.
During a visitation on Thursday, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said the death was "entirely preventable."
"Every one of his fellow officers talks about what a great teammate he was, what a person of integrity he was, how trustworthy he was. And in this business, when you're dealing with very dangerous situations all the time, that type of trust is critical," Kelly said.
Carns is survived by his wife Meghan and two young children, Gray and Ally. He entered the Illinois State Police Academy in 2013, had been honored with the Violent Crime Expressway Ribbon in 2022 and the 2024 Valor Award by the 100 Club of Illinois, a group that raises money for the families of fallen first responders and now finds itself raising funds for his family.
The driver was charged with a Scott's Law violation for failing to move over and causing his death. The crash also happened on Scott's Law Day — a day to remind people of the importance of yielding to law enforcement and first responders.
"People have got to slow down, move over, pay attention, just give a damn about these human beings. Have some respect for officers who do this job on a daily basis," Kelly said.
The Carns family planned a private burial Alsip, with supporters lining the street as first responders made their way to a final resting place.
