Illinois lawmaker plans resolution to honor fallen officer

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – An Illinois state lawmaker is now helping a fallen-officer’s widow memorialize her husband.

For months, Viola Jonas has been coming up with a plan to honor her late husband, former Centreville police Lieutenant Gregory Jonas.

“It came to a dead end,” Viola Jonas told us about her efforts.

Jonas wants a memorial sign in his honor, but after a back and forth with the city, she felt she was not getting anywhere. Lt. Jonas died in the line of duty in 2009, serving in an area now known as Cahokia Heights. With decades in law enforcement, Lt. Jonas is well known there.

“He was a good person, and he knew everybody out there because he grew up out there. So, they all loved him,” Viola Jonas said.

She called FOX 2 for help after she felt her efforts hit a dead end. Cahokia Heights offered to put a memorial sign up at 47th and Tudor, but Viola Jonas was hoping for an area that is more visible, such as Bond Avenue or a state street.

FOX 2 found out that would take a resolution by a state lawmaker. So, we put her in touch with one.

“I believe that the members of the general assembly in the (Illinois) House and the Senate will gladly honor Lt. Jonas,” Illinois State Representative Jay Hoffman (D – District 113) said.

Hoffman spoke with Viola Davis and is now planning to sponsor a resolution to get this done.

“We can’t forget about his service. We can’t forget the loss to his family, and this is a way, long-term, to make sure that the community remembers him and what he did for the community,” he said.

Hoffman said he hopes to file the resolution as soon as this week.

“They knew him, they respected him, and I know that he would love it that I’m doing this for him,” Viola Jonas said.

The state legislature could vote on it as soon as this fall.

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