Nicholas D. Weist, 34, was the first law enforcement officer from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office ever to be killed in the line of duty. He graduated from WIU in 2009.
The identity of the Knox County Sheriff's Deputy killed in the line of duty Friday has been released. Knox County Sheriff David Clague identified 34-year-old Nicholas D. Weist as the deputy killed Friday while attempting to set up spike strips at the intersection of US Highway 150 at 150th Avenue. Clague says that life-saving measures were taken by deputies and officers but Weist died at the scene. He adds that Weist began his career with the Sheriff's Department on May 22, 2018, as a road deputy. The incident on Friday began in Galesburg at the Circle K Gas Station on E. Main Street when officers responded to a 911 call about an individual with a gun. Officers attempted a traffic stop but the suspect continued traveling north on US Highway 150. 22-year-old Daylon K. Richardson of Granite City, Illinois, was identified as the suspect in the case. He was apprehended and will be back in Henry County Court on Monday, May 9.