Details For Funeral Of Illinois State Police Trooper Ellis

GRAYSLAKE, IL — Illinois State Police announced details for visitation and funeral services honoring ISP Trooper Gerald Ellis, who died from injuries sustained during a wrong-way crash Saturday morning on I-94, just east of the IL-176 exit in Green Oaks. According to ISP, the visitation for Trooper Ellis will take place 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake. A law enforcement walk-through will start at 6 p.m. ISP said Trooper Ellis' funeral service will begin 10 a.m. Friday, April 5 at the same location.

Ellis is the second Illinois trooper to die in the line of duty within the same week. On Thursday, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed during a traffic stop on Route 20 near Freeport. Funeral services for Trooper Story will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at Warren High School, 311 S. Water St., Warren. The procession for Trooper Story is projected to begin at 3:30 p.m. and will follow this route, as intersections along the route will be blocked to allow for safe travel of the vehicles in the procession. The public is encouraged to line the route, ISP said.

More on Trooper Gerald Ellis:

According to ISP, Trooper Ellis grew up in Macomb, Illinois, and was a graduate of West Prairie High School and Western Illinois University. He served proudly with the United States Army Reserves, and began his career with the ISP in June 2008 as a member of Cadet Class 116, ISP said.

Upon graduation, Ellis was assigned to District 15 in Downers Grove, where he remained for the duration of his career, during which he was assigned to the Criminal Patrol Team and recently became a proud member of the Truck Task Force Unit.

"Throughout his career with the ISP, Trooper Ellis was recognized for his strong work ethic, his willingness to help others, and his wonderful sense of humor," ISP said. "His desire to serve and protect was on full display, when just days prior to his tragic passing, he, along with fellow officers, performed life-saving CPR efforts on a non-responsive subject who is expected to make a full recovery."

RELATED:

• Illinois State Trooper Killed By Wrong-Way Driver On I-94: Police
• 'She Was Doing Her Job': ISP Trooper Hit, Killed On Route 20
• Where To Send Donations For Family Of ISP Trooper Ellis

"Trooper Ellis is survived by his wife, two young daughters, parents, a brother, and family and friends who loved him dearly," ISP added. "The ISP would like to thank the public for their support and condolences during this difficult time.

According to ISP, donations may be made to the Ellis family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website, or via U.S. mail to: Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 8168, Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

ISP said more information, such as the procession route will be available in the near future. Patch will update this piece as those details come in.