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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
3Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals
4who have served our State and, in doing so, have made the
5ultimate sacrifice for our safety; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Officer Chris Oberheim was born in Decatur on
7October 31, 1976; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Officer Chris Oberheim began his career in law
9enforcement at the Decatur Police Department in 2000, where he
10quickly became a respected officer who led by quiet example
11and maintained a sense of humility even when receiving
12recognition for his heroic actions; he always looked forward
13to playing in the annual Illinois Police Benevolent and
14Protective Association State Softball Tournament and making
15memories with his fellow officers, whose friendships he
16treasured; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Officer Chris Oberheim transferred to the
18Champaign Police Department in 2008, where he continued to
19protect and serve his community; during his tenure, he
20received two Medals of Valor for his courageous acts of
21selfless bravery; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Officer Chris Oberheim dedicated a great deal of
2his time off-duty to coaching several successful girls'
3softball teams; his influence on the field was felt by many who
4loved and respected him; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Officer Chris Oberheim was not only a police
6officer but also a son, brother, husband, father, beloved
7coach, trusted friend, and respected leader; he valued his
8family as his first priority, and his four daughters were his
9absolute pride and joy; he will be remembered for being a
10devoted public servant, a family tradition further continued
11by his younger brother and his cousin who both serve as Decatur
12police officers; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Officer Chris Oberheim was preceded in death by
14his sister, LeighAnn, and his grandfather, Neil Ganley; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Officer Oberheim is survived by his wife, Amber;
16his daughters, Hannah, Avery, Addison, and Aubree; his
17parents, Ted and Mary Ann Oberheim; his siblings, Greg
18(Michelle), Amy, Matt (Jennifer), Joe (Chelsea), and Sarah
19(Jason); his in-laws; and his nieces and nephews; therefore,
20be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
22HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE

 

 

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1SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate South Side Drive
2in Decatur from Route 51 to Route 48 as the "Officer Chris
3Oberheim Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
5is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
6State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
7giving notice of the name of the "Officer Chris Oberheim
8Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
10presented to the family of Officer Chris Oberheim, the
11Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, the
12Champaign Police Department, the Decatur Police Department,
13and the Mayor of the City of Decatur.