2007
1.5 acre park donated
In 2007, Becker Park, a 1.5-acre park located between 6th and 7th Streets bounded by Lawrence Avenue in Springfield, next to Illinois State Police Central Headquarters, was donated to the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation by AIG Corporation with the intent to build a memorial dedicated to honoring the lives and memories of the fallen heroes of the Illinois State Police.
2015
Groundbreaking Ceremony
On November 12, 2015 the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Illinois State Police Memorial Park was held. With the ISP Director, Mayor, board members, numerous officers, family members of fallen officers and more in attendance, we broke ground to build a place that would memorialize our fallen officers forever.
2018
Official Dedication
After years of planning and construction, on October 02, 2018, the Illinois State Police Memorial Park official dedication was held. Governor Bruce Rauner, numerous Gold Star families, officers, sponsors, donors and more were in attendance for this celebration.
INTEGRITY
SERVICE
PRIDE
Integrity, Service, Pride comprises the motto of the Illinois State Police. These words are the core values of the men and women serving the citizens of Illinois. The Memorial Park focuses on these three core values as they are expressed both symbolically and through inscriptions on the various features a visitor will see at the park.
Path of Service
Within the park is a sequence of experiences which will instill the visitor with a sense of the dedication of the fallen officers of the Illinois State Police, the sacrifice made by them and their families, and the gratitude that is their due. The sequence begins with the commencement of an officer’s Service – following a call to serve in law enforcement. One then follows the “path of service” of an officer – a life with purpose and direction, defined by duty.
The sequence continues with the visitor passing through a transitional area which speaks to the brokenness experienced when an officer’s life is cut short and culminates at a sacred place which pays homage to the Integrity of the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As part of this culmination, each officer is memorialized by name and hometown. One then follows along a return sequence which includes a special place set aside to commemorate the virtue of Pride as part of the character of an officer.
Gratitude, Honor, Respect
Through bronze sculptures and granite memorials, landscaping and a water feature, the visitor will experience a sense of the instilled pride of the men and women who serve the Illinois State Police and the gratitude, honor, and respect they afford their fallen comrades, as well as their comrades’ families.
