HJ0021 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0021 LRB100 08921 MST 19064 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is appropriate for us to remember the many sacrifices and contributions made by members of the law enforcement community while protecting the safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, It is also appropriate for us to honor civilians who have given their lives in protecting the public; and

WHEREAS, Illinois State Police Trooper Michael McCarter, Paxton Police Department Patrolman William Caisse, and civilian, Donald Vice, were shot and killed following a traffic stop on I-57 south of Paxton; Larry C. Hale of the Paxton Police Department was wounded; and

WHEREAS, On April 7, 1979, at about 9:00 pm, Patrolman Caisse was dispatched to assist Trooper McCarter who was attempting to stop four speeding vehicles traveling southbound; once at the scene, one subject fled to an overpass area and began firing at both officers, fatally wounding Trooper McCarter and Donald Vice, Trooper McCarter's brother-in-law, who was riding with him; and

WHEREAS, Upon the arrival of another Paxton officer, Larry Hale, gunfire continued from the overpass area as another suspect retrieved a rifle from the rear of his pickup truck, shooting Patrolman Caisse in the back, killing him instantly; and

WHEREAS, The suspect then began firing at Officer Hale, wounding him in the right leg and chest, before he was able to return fire; as the suspect fell to the ground and reached for his weapon, the officer fired his revolver and killed him; and

WHEREAS, Trooper McCarter had served with the Illinois State Police for nine years and was assigned to District 6A; he was survived by his wife and son; and

WHEREAS, Patrolman Caisse had served with the Paxton Police Department for three years; he was a United States Army veteran, and served in the Vietnam War; he was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, his parents, four brothers, and a sister; and

WHEREAS, Donald Vice worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Pontiac; he was survived by his wife, his mother, his stepfather, six sons, two brothers, three sisters, and four grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the overpass at 200 North Road crossing I-57 South of Paxton as the "McCarter-Caisse-Vice-Hale Memorial Overpass"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of the "McCarter-Caisse-Vice-Hale Memorial Overpass"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the families of Trooper Michael McCarter, Paxton Patrolman William Caisse, and Donald Vice, and to Paxton Patrolman Larry C. Hale, the Illinois State Police, the Paxton Police Department, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.