Local police to play key role in tributes to slain Fulton County deputy

Posted on June 27, 2019

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County will be represented in the tributes to murdered Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Troy Chisum.

Sheriff Jon Sandage said Thursday night the McLean County Sheriff’s Honor Guard will fire the 21 gun salute at the burial service for Chisum who was shot to death Tuesday in rural Avon.

Chisum’s visitation will be Sunday and his funeral Monday at Cuba Middle-Senior High School.

Prosecutors on Thursday charged Nathan Woodring, 42, with first degree murder for allegedly shooting Chisum in the chest.

Woodring appeared in court for the first time amid heavy security, according to news partner WMBD-TV.

A judge set bond at $5 million, and appointed a public defender for Woodring, who faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted. There is no death penalty under Illinois law.

Meantime, donations topped $17,000 Thursday night on a GoFundMe page established to help Chisum’s wife and three daughters.

A link to the GoFundMe page can be found here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/deputy-troy-chisum-memorial-fund

Donations can also be made at Mid America National Bank of Canton.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…