Yesterday we said goodbye to a high school friend, member of our community, and local Sheriff's Deputy Sean I. Riley (96-6).
On Wednesday December 29, 2021, Deputy Riley was dispatched to a motorist assist at the 115 mile marker on I-64 in Wayne County IL. After making contact with the driver (who I will not name), fired multiple shots, killing Deputy Riley. The individual then stole Deputy Riley's Police Vehicle, use it to carjack a semi and forced the driver to drive him to St. Peters, Missouri. Another round of carjacking's occurred resulting in on person shot with non life threating injury's. The suspect then made it to Carlyle, IL, with a hostage where he committed a home invasion, holding the hostage along with the homeowner inside. After a short standoff, the situation ended with a SWAT Team entering the home taking the suspect in custody without further incident.
Visitation for Deputy Sean Riley was held on January 3, at the Fairfield Community High School, in Fairfield ,IL. Funeral Services were held the following Day, with burial at the Cisne Cemetery in Cisne, IL.
The funeral procession covered 20+ miles from Fairfield to Cisne. A large turn out of community members lined the route to show support. It is believed that all 102 counties in IL had a representative in the procession. We observed vehicles from the Louisville, KY area, Indianapolis, IN area, Chicago, as well as the St. Louis Metro area.
We counted 16 Motorcycles, 198 Police Vehicles, and 60 other vehicles, for a total of 274 vehicles + 2 helicopters accompanying Deputy Riley to his final resting place.
The full funeral can be viewed on Ch 14 WFIE's Facebook page.
This video is Not Monetized.
Deputy Sean I. Riley, End of Watch 12-29-2021