One state trooper stood alone in the bitter cold Friday morning outside Parkview Christian Church practicing taps.
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.
Officials with the Illinois State Police, the Chicago Fire Department and officers from the Chicago, Elgin, Orland Park and Algonquin police departments were among those in attendance.
“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.”
Carns served as a state police officer for 11 years. He graduated from the state police academy in May 2014.
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 fundraiser has raised more than $276,000 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.
Carns was fatally struck on Scott’s Law Day. Enacted in 2002, Scott’s Law was named in honor of Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed while responding to an early morning traffic accident on the Bishop Ford Freeway on Dec. 23, 2000.
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.
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 work 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.”
