Illinois State Trooper Gerald Ellis swore an oath to “Protect and Serve” and that is exactly what he did by giving his life to save others.

Tooper Ellis was on patrol in the early morning hours last Saturday (3/30) when he was involved in a head-on-crash with a car driving in the wrong direction on Interstate 94. The Chicago Tribune reports that the Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said that there was alcohol in the system of the 44-year-old man that was driving the wrong way on the interstate. Both Trooper Ellis and the other driver were killed in the accident.

In a social media post from a father of a girl that was driving behind Trooper Ellis, we find out just how heroic the Illinois State Policeman was that tragic night.

The Daily Herald reports that Trooper Ellis was an 11-year-veteran with the Illinois State Police District 15. They also quote family members of the trooper calling him a “loving father and loyal and dedicated husband.”

Our hearts break for the Ellis family and their friends, the “Brothers in Blue” to Trooper Ellis and all of his friends. Although I never met Gerald Ellis personally, I can make the following statement without hesitation. The heroic actions last Saturday tell me that Trooper Ellis was truly a great person and a real American Hero.

By: Buck Stevens