Holly MatkinFreeport, IL – Illinois State Police (ISP) Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed in the line of duty on Thursday afternoon, when a truck tractor semi-trailer combination slammed into her patrol vehicle and the semi she was inspecting.
“Today is a dark day for the Illinois State Police family,” ISP Acting Director Brendan Kelly said in a press release.
“This is the six-year anniversary of the death of [Trooper James Sauter], and now another brave soul, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, has made the ultimate sacrifice for people of this state,” the relese said.
The incident occurred at about 12:20 p.m., while Trooper Jones-Story was inspecting a commercial vehicle on U.S. Route 20, just west of Illinois route 75.
“Trooper Jones-Story was outside her squad car when she was struck and fatally wounded when a truck tractor semi-trailer combination struck her squad car and the semi Trooper Jones-Story was inspecting,” the ISP said.
Arial footage and photos from the scene showed massive plumes of black smoke billowing from the crash site.
A semi with a scorched cab was parked along the edge of the roadway, and another burned-out semi appeared to have veered off of the road and overturned, WBBM reported.
Trooper Jones-Story, a 12-year veteran-of-the-force, was assigned to the ISP’s District 16 in Pecatonica.
“At this very moment, the men and women of the ISP are responding and focused on the job and mission, because that’s what Trooper Jones-Story would do,” Director Kelly said.
The South Beloit Police Department said that Trooper Jones-Story had assisted their agency on many occasions over the years.
“Please keep the Trooper’s family and the Illinois State Police in your thoughts and prayers,” the department said in a Facebook post.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Illinois State Police Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.