Memorial Visitation Set For Beloved Park Forest Detective Tim Jones

TINLEY PARK, IL — A memorial visitation has been set for beloved Park Forest Police officer Tim Jones, who died earlier this month, nearly a decade after being shot on duty.

A rookie cop on the job for just months at the time, Jones was critically injured in March 2016 while exchanging gunfire with an armed suspect who first opened fire on police. Jones, who was a Tinley Park native, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including two to the head.

Jones died Dec. 3; he was 34 years old.

A memorial visitation for Jones will be held at Tinley Park High School, 6111 175th St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27. A department walk-through is set to begin at 1 p.m., with a celebration of life to immediately follow, according to a notice online. Jones was a 2009 graduate of the school.

| READ: 'Indeed A Superhero': Rookie Cop Shot In Line Of Duty 9 Years Ago Dies At 34 |

The Park Forest police department paid tribute to Jones, with Deputy Chief John DeCeault saying he embodied all they look for in an officer.

DeCeault was a detective at the time Jones was shot.

"Tim stood out at that time as extremely smart, great personality, outgoing, always smiling," DeCeault said. "He was one of the newer officers we had high hopes for. I do remember working a few cases, assisting patrol with Timmy being involved in those cases. He was just so eager to learn.

"... So eager to learn, just loved the job. He was the epitome of what we look for in Park Forest officers."

| READ: 'He Was The Epitome Of What We Look For' In Officers: Park Forest Mourns Rookie Cop Shot On Duty |

On social media, the department said, "We were told he wouldn’t survive, but Tim had other plans. With the strength and determination that defined him, he fought back. Day after day, year after year, he pushed through challenges most of us can’t imagine. For nearly 10 years, Tim showed us what courage, resilience, and heart truly look like."

The years that followed would be a battle many couldn't imagine enduring, but one colleagues say Jones faced with enduring bravery and optimism. Jones' courage inspired a #TimStrong social media tag that went viral, reaching far beyond the Park Forest community. Thousands rallied around him. His courage inspired a #TimStrong social media tag that went viral, reaching far beyond the Park Forest community.

In 2020, the department retired badge number 204—reserving it for Jones in perpetuity. It was the first time Park Forest police have ever retired a badge number for an officer.

The retirement of Jones' badge number was commemorated with a plaque displayed in the lobby of the Park Forest Police Department. He was also made an honorary detective.

"He’s had a detective desk ever since," DeCeault said. "It’ll probably never be removed.

"... Tim’s never gonna be forgotten. He still has his locker, he’ll always have his locker, we’ll never get rid of it. There's not a day that goes by, where Tim doesn’t pop up in our head."