HJ0016 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0016 LRB099 07218 MST 27315 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

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, Sgt. Myron G. Deckard was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 6, 2001 along Interstate 72 East while transporting a prisoner from Macon County to Vermilion County; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Deckard had served with the Vermilion County Sheriff's Department for 32 years and had been a warrant officer for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, The Sgt. Deckard Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Sgt. Deckard's family in his memory; the scholarship benefits students of the Danville Area Community College who are the dependents of a law enforcement officer or of a member of the Danville Rifle and Pistol Club; each year, the Danville Rifle and Pistol Club hosts a pistol shoot and raffle to raise funds for the scholarship, and, over the event's 8-year history, it has contributed over $61,000 to the scholarship fund; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Deckard is survived by his wife, Jean, and his son, Tony; he was a 32nd degree Mason and past president of the Uncle Joe Cannon Toastmasters Club; he was an active member of the Danville Rifle and Pistol Club and was a regular at the YMCA health club; he also visited schools giving young children presentations on law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Deckard's dedication and devotion are the standard by which Illinois law enforcement is measured; 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 rest areas on Interstate 72 East and 72 West at Milepost 152, between Decatur and Champaign, as the "Sgt. Myron G. Deckard Memorial Rest Area"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Sgt. Deckard and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.