Illinois State Trooper Ellis Honored On Anniversary Of Death

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — The Libertyville Police Department and Illinois State Police on Monday honored late Illinois State Police Trooper Gerald "Jerry Ellis" on the one-year anniversary of his death. On the early morning of March 30, 2019, Trooper Ellis, from Antioch, was on duty driving his squad car home on I-94 westbound near milepost 16.75 in Green Oaks, when a wrong-way driver, headed eastbound in the westbound lanes, hit the trooper head-on, police said. Trooper Ellis was taken to a local area hospital with life-threatening injuries, and died from his injuries shortly after 4 a.m, according to a news release from Illinois State Police.

"Jerry was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and cherished friend," Illinois State Police wrote in a Facebook post. "We remember Jerry daily and honor him and the family he left behind. The Illinois State Police will continue to keep the highways of this state safe for all who travel on them. We remind everyone...do not drink and drive. Designate a sober driver."

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The wrong-way driver, 44-year-old Dan Davies, from Calumet City, was the only occupant of the other car and was also killed in the crash, officials said. State officials said Davies did not hold a valid driver's license, had multiple DUIs and there was no evidence he'd even held a valid license since 1996, reports said.

Ellis was the second Illinois trooper to die in the line of duty that week. Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed during a traffic stop on Route 20 near Freeport two days earlier, and was honored Thursday by police.

A half-mile stretch of highway on Interstate 94 in Green Oaks was dedicated during a ceremony in October in honor of Trooper Ellis. The Trooper Gerald W. Ellis Memorial Highway runs from mile marker 16.5 to 17.0 in Green Oaks.

According to Illinois State Police, Trooper Ellis served proudly with the United States Army Reserves, and was recognized throughout his career with Illinois State Police for his "strong work ethic, his willingness to help others, and his wonderful sense of humor."