FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Monique Bond
August 30, 2011
312 814 8367
217 782 6637
www.isp.state.il.us
TDD: 1-800-255-3323
Illinois State Police Remember IDOT Worker Ryan Nichols;
Orange Ribbons to Fly on District 2, District Chicago & District 15 Squad
Car Antennas During Labor Holiday Weekend
Officers Pay Tribute and Hope to Raise Awareness in Work Zone Safety
(Woodstock/Downer's Grove/Chicago) Starting today, Illinois State Police
will demonstrate their solidarity and support for an IDOT Construction
Engineer, Ryan Nichols, who was fatally struck on August 22, 2011, by a
vehicle while performing his duties at the job site on Route 14 at Route 47
& Dean Street in Woodstock.
Ryan, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, began his
employment with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Region One in
May of 2002 after working for Wisconsin DOT. Ryan was assigned to the
Bureau of Construction as an Inspector.
"We work hand in hand with our IDOT partners on a daily basis to raise the
awareness of safety on the roads to reduce traffic crashes and prevent loss
of life. Our Troopers want motorists and the community to see the orange
ribbons and think about Ryan and his tireless dedication as an IDOT worker
to building safer roads," said ISP Director Hiram Grau.
"Our hearts are heavy with grief for this young man and his family because
Troopers know firsthand about the dangers that come with the job in public
safety," said ISP Operations Colonel Robert Haley.
Illinois State Police and IDOT are also encouraging motorists and fellow
employees in the Woodstock area to join them in showing their support by
attaching an orange ribbon to car antennas during the Labor Day holiday
weekend.
"Woodstock police will join our ISP partners in demonstrating support for
Ryan and his family and we hope that our collective message raises
awareness to the dangers involved in the field of public safety," said
Woodstock Chief Bob Lowen.
More than 300 ISP squad cars from the Elgin, Chicago and Downer's Grove
Districts will affix orange ribbons to squad car antennas.
Ryan leaves behind a wife, a 2-year-old-son, and 5-month-old twin boys.
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