State Trooper Pleads Guilty to Drinking, Driving on Duty: Prosecutors

AURORA, IL — An Illinois State Police trooper found himself on the other side of the law after he was sentenced to a year of court supervision for driving under the influence while on duty.

Trooper Paul A. Zurn, 34, pleaded guilty April 11 to the Aug. 22, 2015 incident. Prosecutors say Zurn responded to a call of a minor traffic crash on westbound I-88 near Farnsworth Avenue. Zurn was observed by other troopers to be “unsteady on his feet,” according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. A bottle containing liquor was also found in his squad car.

Zurn refused to submit to multiple sobriety tests and his driver’s license was suspended for one year by the Illinois Secretary of State as a result.

According to Illinois law, first-time misdemeanor DUI offenders are eligible for supervision.

In addition to the supervision sentence, Zurn must undergo alcohol treatment, pay $2,185 in costs and fines and attend a victim impact panel.

A phone message left with the Illinois State Police Tuesday seeking the status of Zurn's employment was not immediately returned.