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| 1 | SENATE RESOLUTION | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened | ||||||
| 3 | to learn of the death of Officer Daniel Jones "Dan" Willis of | ||||||
| 4 | the Joliet Police Department, who passed away on August 11, | ||||||
| 5 | 2025; and | ||||||
| 6 | WHEREAS, Officer Willis, the son of Thomas Willis and | ||||||
| 7 | Dorothy Briestansky, was born in Evergreen Park on November | ||||||
| 8 | 21, 1972; he graduated from Evergreen High School; and | ||||||
| 9 | WHEREAS, Officer Willis began his career in law | ||||||
| 10 | enforcement as a cadet with the Palos Hills Police Department; | ||||||
| 11 | he proceeded to serve as a sheriff's deputy with the Cook | ||||||
| 12 | County Sheriff's Office and as an officer with the Chicago | ||||||
| 13 | Police Department; he joined the Joliet Police Department in | ||||||
| 14 | 2005, where he served in the Patrol Division, the Neighborhood | ||||||
| 15 | Oriented Policing Team, and most recently, the K-9 Unit; he | ||||||
| 16 | was also a member of the Joliet Police Honor Guard; during his | ||||||
| 17 | career, he was noted for his bravery, precision, and fierce | ||||||
| 18 | dedication, becoming the recipient of numerous awards and | ||||||
| 19 | commendations; and | ||||||
| 20 | WHEREAS, Officer Willis enjoyed vacationing, boating, and | ||||||
| 21 | supporting his favorite sports teams, including the Chicago | ||||||
| 22 | White Sox, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Chicago Bears; and | ||||||
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| 1 | WHEREAS, Officer Willis lived courageously and loved | ||||||
| 2 | deeply, and he was his family's biggest supporter; he leaves | ||||||
| 3 | behind a legacy of integrity, kindness, and commitment that | ||||||
| 4 | will continue to inspire all those who knew him, and he will be | ||||||
| 5 | remembered for his warm heart, sharp wit, and generous spirit; | ||||||
| 6 | and | ||||||
| 7 | WHEREAS, Officer Willis was preceded in death by his | ||||||
| 8 | father-in-law, John T. Hansen; and | ||||||
| 9 | WHEREAS, Officer Willis is survived by his wife of 21 | ||||||
| 10 | years, Laurie (Hansen) Willis; his sons, Cullen Willis and | ||||||
| 11 | Mason Willis; his parents; his mother-in-law, Maureen Hansen; | ||||||
| 12 | his brother-in-law, Chris (Angela) Hansen; four nephews and | ||||||
| 13 | one niece; his fellow officers; and his K9 partner, Ady; | ||||||
| 14 | therefore, be it | ||||||
| 15 | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL | ||||||
| 16 | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of | ||||||
| 17 | Officer Daniel Jones "Dan" Willis of the Joliet Police | ||||||
| 18 | Department and extend our sincere condolences to his family, | ||||||
| 19 | friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further | ||||||
| 20 | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | ||||||
| 21 | presented to the family of Officer Willis as an expression of | ||||||
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| 1 | our deepest sympathy. | ||||||