One state trooper stood alone in the bitter cold Friday morning outside Parkview Christian Church practicing taps on a trumpet.
Unmarked police vehicles and Illinois State Police squad cars filled the large parking lot of the Orland Park church as mourners gathered for Trooper Clay Carns’ funeral.
The 35-year-old was killed Dec. 23 when he was hit by a passing vehicle while removing debris from a southbound lane of Interstate 55 near Channahon.
Family, close friends and officers from many jurisdictions filed into the church for Carns’ funeral.
Police officers from many area departments including Chicago, Elgin, Orland Park and Algonquin attended as did officers from South Bend, Indiana, and Green Bay, Wisconsin.
“Today, and every day going forward, we honor Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns for his sacrifice, and the sacrifice made by his family,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement Friday. “While ISP is hurting as we lay to rest the second trooper killed on Illinois highways in just three months, we will not falter.”
“To honor Trooper Carns means to preserve and uphold that which he stood for – Integrity, Service, and Pride,” Kelly added. “Trooper Carns will remain in our hearts and in our sacred work of protecting public safety and pursuing justice.”
Hundreds of officers gathered outside the church to salute Carns as his mahogany casket was placed in a hearse. Despite the crowd’s size, the shell casings could be heard clattering on the pavement during a three-volley salute.
The Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department broke the silence with “Amazing Grace,” and minutes later, two Chicago police helicopters flew overhead.
A handful of staff at the Evergreen Senior Living Center were among the people watching the procession along Orland Parkway.
Carolyn Maloney, director at the living center, told the Sun-Times the group of about 10 were standing outside “out of respect for a man who put his life on the line for every one us.”
“It could’ve been any of us going down that road and getting killed,” said Maloney, 73.
Watching the procession hit Maloney personally. Her nephew is an officer in New Hampshire.
“I love the support that they all give to that fallen officer, but to think any day that could be my nephew in that casket,” Maloney said. “It’s very sad to see all this.”
Mike Stogin, 62, was picking up his mother-in-law from the senior center for a hair appointment and decided to stick around for the funeral procession.
“Respect,” Stogin responded when asked why he was standing outside in the bitter cold. “The least we can do is stand out here and pay our respects to a guy who gave his life.”
“He was a young man with a family,” Stogin added. “We deeply respect and appreciate his sacrifice.”
Carns graduated from the state police academy in May 2014 and went on to serve as a state police officer for 11 years.
In 2022, he received the Violent Crime Expressway Ribbon for his work in helping combat gun violence and interstate shootings, state police said.
He was described by the department as “a passionate public servant who will be remembered for his unparalleled dedication to his city, community, and state.”
Carns’ family has received an abundance of community support. A GoFundMe fundrasier had more than $276,000 in donations as of Friday morning.
Carns is survived by his wife, parents, two children and three siblings.
John Fleet, 69, was charged with a Scott’s Law violation by the Will County state’s attorney, authorities said. State police also issued multiple Illinois Vehicle Code citations to Fleet.
The law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching stopped emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles, displaying flashing lights. It also applies to any stationary vehicle with its hazard lights activated. If changing lanes isn’t possible, vehicles have to slow down and move with caution.
Carns was fatally struck on Scott’s Law Day, named for the anniversary of the incident that led to the passage of the law, enacted in 2002.
The law honors Scott Gillen, a Chicago Fire Department lieutenant who was struck and killed while responding to an early morning traffic accident on the Bishop Ford Freeway on Dec. 23, 2000.
Kelly told reporters Thursday the department is constantly looking to strengthen Scott’s Law, and Carns’ death is a reminder there is still work to be done to protect everyone who works on the expressways.
“We’re going to keep enforcing this law for as long as we have to, but we wish we didn’t have to. We wish we didn’t have to remind people,” Kelly said. “We wish people would just slow down and move over. That’s all it is. If you do that, you’re going to save somebody’s life.”