Lincoln, IL – On Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center, Bloomington, IL, the Lincoln Police Department received the Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (ILCOPS) 2016 Eternal Flame Award along with the Illinois State Police, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Burr Ridge Police Department.

The Lincoln Police Department has supported ILCOPS organization over the years by hosting the Cycle Across Illinois Fundraiser and allowing Corporal Maurice Johnson to participate in the program with the ILCOPS Critical Incident Memorial Team.

The Critical Incident Memorial Team was started in 2015 and since that time, they have been involved in five law enforcement line of duty death funerals.  The team helps the departments and families with funeral arrangements, coordinate resources, and supports the family during the loss of their loved one.

The respective departments honored have allowed members of the team to leave at a moment’s notice and coordinate internally to cover shifts while the officers are gone.  The department heads fully understand the mission of ILCOPS and the Critical Incident Team in supporting their fellow departments. 

Officers throughout the country are risking their lives for their communities, even those that want to harm them, because they have honor and courage.  Each officer prays every day to make it home safe to their families and it is encouraging to know an organization like ILCOPS exists to help care for the families for those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

I would like to thank the ILCOPS for recognizing not only our department, but those departments that contribute to the team.  I would like to thank Corporal Maurice Johnson for all his hard work during the funerals he has participated with.

More information about ILCOPS can be found at https://ilcops.org

Paul Adams, Chief of Police