NW Illinois News

State Representative Bradley Fritts expressed his condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Illinois State Police (ISP) Trooper Corey Thompsen. "My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and fellow Troopers of Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen," he said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and fellow Troopers of Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen," said Bradley J Fritts, according to Facebook.

According to a report from the State-Journal Register shared by Fritts on Facebook, ISP Trooper Corey Thompsen was struck at the intersection of Leverett Road in Champaign County on October 18 while finishing a traffic enforcement detail as part of a motorcycle patrol. Thompsen, aged 28, had served with the ISP for nearly five years. Following the accident, a witness provided first aid before he was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 4:30 p.m.

Screenshot of State Rep. Bradley Fritts' Oct. 21 Facebook post | State Representative Bradley Fritts' Facebook page

The truck driver involved in the incident, Helen Torres, was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop intersection and not having a valid driver’s license, which had expired less than a year ago.

Thompsen was honored in a police procession from Urbana to St. Joseph starting at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 21. According to WCIA's report, numerous law enforcement officers participated alongside community members who gathered to pay their respects as his body was transported to Freese Funeral Home in St. Joseph.

"This is a sad moment. We are hurting," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly in an October 19 report from ABC7. He added that Corey's colleagues across various divisions within ISP were deeply affected by his passing. Kelly noted that this was the first trooper he personally administered the oath of office to who died in the line of duty.

Thompsen is survived by his wife Chelsea; his parents Susan and Steve; and his brothers.

Fritts serves as the State Representative for District 74 since January 2023. A lifelong resident of Illinois, he also works as a substitute teacher and farms with his family when not in Springfield. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural and consumer economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.