'Hundreds' Of Police Squads Part Of Procession For Deputy Keltner

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Hundreds of squads from law enforcement agencies across the state, and a number from others took part in Wednesday's procession honoring fall McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Keltner, the Rockford Police Department said. Before the procession, Keltner's funeral took place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Woodstock High School, 3000 Raffel Road in Woodstock.

The procession traveled through Crystal Lake, as police informed community members earlier this week regarding where and when to expect travel delays between the procession's scheduled time of 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A final radio call (10-42) was made during Wednesday's procession to mark and honor Deputy Keltner's end of watch.

Keltner was married and had two young boys, ages 4 and 6 years old.

Neighbors told ABC 7 those living nearby often saw Keltner and his family walking to his parents' house and his parents often making the nearby trek to their son's home.

Keltner was loved and respected by his colleagues at the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim said in a statement Thursday following news of Keltner's death. Keltner was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital - Riverside, nearly six hours after he was shot while attempting to serve an arrest warrant with the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force at Extended Stay America in the 700 block of North Bell School Road in Rockford.

In addition to Wednesday's procession and funeral, two police processions honoring Keltner took place in the past week. The first occurred in Rockford, as Keltner's body was transported from the hospital to the coroner's office.

Related:

• 'We Saw You': Symbols Of Unity At Fallen Deputy's Procession
• Wife of Fallen Deputy: 'We Loved Each Other Fiercely'

On Friday, a second procession ran from the coroner's office in Rockford to DeFiore Funeral Home in Huntley, traveling down Interstate 90 and into downtown Huntley. Strangers as well as those who knew Keltner silently watched as vehicles passed through downtown Huntley, one carrying the body of the longtime sheriff's office deputy. Many became emotional as they watched the cars travel slowly by.

This is what it means to be a blue family. Hundreds of squads from all over Illinois, and some from other states, participated in the procession for fallen Deputy Jacob Keltner following the funeral this morning. pic.twitter.com/KhuU4a9XJU
— RockfordILPolice (@RockfordPD) March 13, 2019

RIP DEPUTY JACOB KELTNER .Thankyou for your service. https://t.co/lA5JerGN1S
— Kathy (@KathyFeebs) March 13, 2019

Thank you pic.twitter.com/MHaDtbuWfB
— McHenry Co. Sheriff (@McHenrySheriff) March 10, 2019

I was honored to pay my respects to @McHenrySheriff Deputy Jacob Keltner, his family and everyone in the law enforcement community who participated in today’s procession. Sad day in @crystallakeil pic.twitter.com/raju4bUJ7v
— Rob (@RobNicholas4323) March 13, 2019

The sheriff's office has fielded several requests regarding fundraising efforts for Keltner's family. While no formal fundraiser has been set up, officials confirmed over the weekend that the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which has created a CrowdRise site to raise funds to pay off the mortgage for Keltner's wife, is a legitimate fundraising entity.

Patch will continue updating as information comes in.