HJ0069eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0069 Engrossed LRB099 12083 MST 34743 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to individuals who gave their lives in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Layton T. Davis was born on June 18, 1925 in Watson Township, Effingham County, the fifth child and only son of Alonzo and Lola Davis; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Davis grew up on his family farm across from Salt Creek School, where he attended school for 8 years; he later attended Watson's 3-year high school and then attended Effingham High School's 4-year program graduating in 1943; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Davis joined the United States Army in July of 1944, seeing combat in the Philippines and then serving in Japan until his honorable discharge in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Davis married his high school sweetheart, Helen Becker; he worked their small farm and raised 3 sons, Louis, Alan, and Troy, who all grew up on the farm in Watson; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Davis worked at the Illinois Department of Transportation in road maintenance before attending the Illinois State Police Academy in 1957; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from the Illinois State Police Academy, Trooper Davis honorably served and protected the people of the State of Illinois for 19 years; and

WHEREAS, During a routine traffic stop on Interstate 57 near Effingham on March 18, 1976, Trooper Davis was notified by radio that one of the car's 2 occupants was wanted on a Cook County warrant; the two men attacked Trooper Davis, shooting and killing him in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Davis had served with the Illinois State police for 19 years and was assigned to District 12; he was survived by his wife and 3 children; he is fondly remembered and appreciated by family, friends, and the public whom he dutifully served; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Interstate 57 from the Tri-level north of Effingham to the southern Shelby County line as the "Trooper Layton T. Davis Memorial Highway"; 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 "Trooper Layton T. Davis Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Trooper Layton T. Davis, the Illinois State Police, the Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club, the Mayor of the City of Effingham, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.