(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The open visitation for Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns took place on Thursday, after he was killed while removing debris from a highway while on duty.
Local law enforcement, family, and community members gathered at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park to remember fallen Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns.
The 35-year-old was hit and killed by a car two days before Christmas on the Stevenson.
Police say he pulled over on the shoulder to pick up debris when someone hit him.
He served 11 years and left behind a wife and two young children.
Visitation runs through 8 p.m. The funeral will take place at the same church on Friday.
His family shared a statement thanking the thousands of people who've expressed their love and support after this tragedy.
Read the statement below:
The Family of Trooper Clay Carns mourn the loss of their treasured husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement nor the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support.
To the public, Clay became a hero on December 23, 2024, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero.
Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life with such purpose, he loved his family and friends fiercely, and he took great pride in his work.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” - Matthew 5:9
Services will all be held at Parkview Christian Church, 11100 Orland Parkway in Orland Park, Illinois. Visitation to take place Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 1 to 8 p.m., with a first responder walk through at 6 p.m. Funeral service will be Friday, January 3, 2025 at 10 a.m. Private Interment to follow.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trooper Clay Carns Memorial fund at the QR code found in the obituary.
Dec. 23 was "Move Over" Law Day, also known as Scott's Law Day.
Scott’s Law is named after Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who died after being hit by a drunk driver while at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway on Dec. 23, 2000.
On Jan. 1, Scott’s Law was changed to require people to both slow down and move over, if able to, for construction and emergency vehicles. Previously the law allowed people to either move or slow down.
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