CHAMPAIGN – People lined streets Sunday as a state trooper killed in the line of duty was escorted from a funeral service in Champaign to a cemetery in St. Joseph.
Around 2:00 p.m., dozens of Illinois State Police vehicles were parked along two blocks of Prospect Avenue during the funeral service for Corey S. Thompsen, 28 inside Faith United Methodist Church.
Howard George lives across the street from the church. He and his family sat outside to honor the fallen officer.
“We wanted to support the young man and the police department as they support us during the day at work,” he said.
Amelia Noel brought her young daughter and held a large American flag while the procession passed by her neighborhood.
“Well, I heard about the state trooper who was killed and we live really close to where the funeral is being held,” she said.
“Just the way he [Thompsen] passed away was so tragic. I just felt really moved and called to come show support.”
Thompsen died on October 18 after a truck hit his motorcycle. He is survived by his wife and parents.
After the service, the procession left the church on Prospect Avenue, then turned east on Windsor Road. It ended at Patterson Cemetery in St. Joseph where Thompsen was laid to rest.
