“I have a million memories with Tyler, but hands down my favorite memory with him was our wedding day. Absolutely nothing went wrong, it was perfect in every way possible. Specifically, sitting there with him at the head table, listening to Chloe’s speech for us. I had always known the bond those two shared was something special, but in that moment, it was solidified. As we watched the young woman we were raising, deliver such an amazing speech that was mature beyond her years, he kept hold of my hand and squeezed it tightly when he began to get choked up. Every moment of our lives with Tyler were special, every single one, and he made sure Chloe and I both knew daily how important we were to him and how much he loved us.”

“One of the most unique memories of Tyler was back when he was in high school, and I was in middle school. We both worked for the Wood River Parks and Recreation diamond crew, prepping the baseball and softball diamonds for play each day. On our lunch breaks, we often went to the Wood River Pool when it was hot. One time, we were going down the water slides and Tyler and a buddy went down in tandem, arms locked so they could push each other higher on the turns to gain more speed. One turn they were going too fast, and Tyler went up and over the slide. The other guy with him did not let go of his arm and Tyler dangled over the slide for a little while until they got to a spot where he could drop safely. He had fiberglass burns all up and down his arm and armpit area. While this certainly could have been much worse, we often laughed about this and how mad Mom and Dad were when they found out! It always reminds me of how fun and how much of a kid Tyler really was.”

“I am connected to the foundation through my cousin Tyler. Tyler was about 8 months younger than me, and we were close growing up together. As adults we played in countless softball leagues together and a dart league for several years as well.
Tyler started his law enforcement career about 8 months after I did as well. We spent a lot of time during his years with the Hartford and Roxanna Police Departments, including our late night/early morning breakfasts at IHOP and backing each other up on calls for service.
I have been married to my wife, Jeni, for 40 or 50 years, I guess?  We have two sons, Owen and Elliott, and our lives (this time of year especially) pretty much revolves around their sports schedules, and we love every second of it.
I have been an officer with the Woodriver Police Department for 16+ years and currently serve as a patrol sergeant. Against my wife’s better judgement, I recently opened a food truck with my friend Neil McHatton. Operating Mericue has been a lot of fun so far and we’re looking forward to the opportunities that it’ll bring.
I don’t really know what hopes I have for this foundation yet. I just hope we get to do some fun and silly stuff along the way, because that is what Tyler would’ve expected. “

I am connected to the foundation because of a close friendship I shared with Tyler. I first met Tyler when I became a police officer and worked for the South Roxana Police Department. He was working for the neighboring Roxana Police Department, and we often ran calls together. It didn’t take long for our friendship to develop due to his goofy, outgoing personality and larger than life smile.

I have a wonderful family, my wife, Amy; 2 boys and a girl, Jace 24, Nick 18, and Belle 15 as well as two boy dogs and one girl to match; Django, Theo and Lucy. I am currently employed as an Investigator for the Madison County States Attorney’s Office.

My hopes for the TTMF are to grow large enough to alleviate all of the financial stress and worries for the families of a fallen Police Officer in the State of Illinois. The last thing loved ones need to do after a tragic loss of their hero is to worry about any financial burden or emotional support.

“One of my most memorable work memories with Tyler was when we were involved in a pursuit which led us from South Roxana, all over the freaking place and ended in Alton near the top of the Rock Quarry. The pursuit turned into a foot pursuit in the woods which ended with the suspect being taken into custody. Tyler never left my side during the entire pursuit/foot pursuit. Once in custody the suspect looked at us and said, “I’m Satan.” Tyler smiled and said, “Nice to meet you Satan, I’m Tyler.” I laughed so hard. We had countless laughs together on and off shift. There was never a moment spent with Tyler when he didn’t have me laughing, again, due to his goofy personality. The only time Tyler made me laugh that wasn’t fun was when he was spending time with me at the hospital after I was injured on duty, and I had multiple rib fractures. I so bad wanted to kick him but my external fixator would not allow me to do that. But I guess it’s the thought that counts, right?”