Where To Send Donations For Family Of ISP Trooper Gerald Ellis

GREEN OAKS, IL — The Illinois State Police have released information on how to make donations to the family of Trooper Gerald Ellis. ISP reported the 36-year-old trooper was killed in a wrong-way crash on I-94 in Green Oaks early Saturday morning, marking the second line-of-duty death in less than 48 hours for the state police. On Thursday, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed during a traffic stop on Route 20 near Freeport.

According to ISP, donations may be made to the Ellis family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website, or via U.S. mail to: Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 8168, Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

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ISP asks that you please note Trooper Gerald Ellis Memorial Fund on the website's comment section.

As a way to honor the dedicated men and women of the ISP, officials announced April 1 of each year is designated Illinois State Trooper Day.

"This day shall be observed annually throughout the state to pay tribute to those who serve and protect our citizens and especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Brendan Kelly, acting director of the ISP, posted to the ISP Facebook page.

Ellis was on duty traveling home in his squad car in the westbound lanes of the highway when he was struck head-on by the wrong-way driver, Illinois State Police said in a press release. The crash happened around 3:25 a.m.

Related:

• Illinois State Trooper Killed By Wrong-Way Driver On I-94: Police
• 'She Was Doing Her Job': ISP Trooper Hit, Killed On Route 20

He was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after 4 a.m.

The wrong-way driver, who was the only occupant of the car, was also killed in the crash, officials said. The investigation into the crash is active and ongoing. Patch will continue updating this piece as more information becomes available.

Ellis was assigned to ISP District 15 in Downers Grove and was an 11-year veteran of the department. He leaves behind a wife, two children, a brother and his parents. Ellis was also a veteran of the United States military.