Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Whisenand.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 26, 2022

God bless you

Nick mottola
None

August 11, 2020

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 11, 2020

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

August 31, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Whisenand's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 1-4-18 to remember and honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
Richton Park Police (IL)

January 4, 2018

Rest in heaven brother in blue!

Deputy Pharoah M. Halbert
Cook County Sheriff's Office, Cook County, Illinois

December 21, 2017

It's taken me almost a year and a half to write on this page. Craig was a coworker and a dear friend to me. This is a copy of my speech from the IL RT 9 road dedication in July 2016.


I’m Deputy Sheriff Rich Brock with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office.

I’m the liaison officer for the Whisenand family and I was one of Craig’s friends. I’m currently assigned to our Crime Prevention Unit.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the road dedication and from this past year for everything you have done from the night of the crash until now.

I first met Craig Whisenand in January of 2002 at the Tazewell County Jail, when Sheriff Huston hired me as a correctional officer. I worked with Craig for a few years in the jail until he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 2005. In 2007, I was hired as a Deputy Sheriff.

In 2009 I was assigned to 3rd shift patrol with Craig. Our shift was from 10 pm until 6am. We worked almost every weekend together. For several years we were each other’s back up approximately 70% of the time.
Craig was a family man who loved his wife, Steffany, his parents Vern and Phyllis, his sister Krista, his brother in law Steve, his nephews Joey and Justin, his Uncle Leon who was like a brother to him, his step daughter Sophie and especially his sons, Hunter and Carter, who meant the world to him. Craig encouraged Hunter and Carter to play all sports and to be the best they could be at whatever they did.
Craig rarely missed any of their games when they lived in Pekin, even when he had to work 3rd shift.
Outside of work Craig was a farmer and a gardener. He loved sports. He also liked doing construction and home remodeling. He could fix just about anything. If not, he knew where to get the answers. He was always willing to help a friend out.

On the job, Craig and I were on hundreds of calls together. Common calls were domestic violence; DUI crashes, fatal crashes, fights, alarms, large out of control underage drinking parties and many other types of calls. Some of those calls were tragedies, but we dealt with them professionally as we did all calls. We were on so many calls together we could pretty much read each other’s minds. Craig knew how I would react and I knew how he would react to certain situations.

Craig was a problem solver and he had a lot of patience on calls. Especially, when dealing with belligerent drunks. Many times, he had way more patients than I did. Many times we would meet to talk about calls we were on or about life. Sometimes we would meet just to keep each other awake on slow nights. We would meet at Dillon church, the highway department, the Cabin on Rt 9 and ironically, Dillon Cemetery, where he is now buried.

The main thing I want everyone to know is, as a friend, Craig was a down to earth guy, who had a huge heart, was unbiased, nonjudgmental, easy going and was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. To say we miss him would be a huge understatement!

I know that Craig would be very appreciative of all of the attention he has gotten over the past year. Knowing him like I did, I also know he might have been a little shy about all of this.

Illinois Route 9 is one of the roads that all Deputies travel on daily while on duty. As this section of RT 9 is renamed after Craig, let it be a constant reminder to us that he paid the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Tazewell County.

Thank You and God Bless America!!

Tazewell Deputy Sheriff Rich Brock
Coworker and friend

November 29, 2016

My condolences to Deputy Whisenand family, friends, and colleagues of the Tazwell County Sheriff's Office. Revelation 21:3,4 reads "he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." I hope Jehovah God promise of a resurrection for our loved ones who have fallen asleep in death brings comfort to all who knew Deputy Whisenand. You are in my prayers.

ECS II Lem Toatley
Orlando Police Department

December 11, 2015

My deepest condolences , may you get chosen to patrol our heavens. God bless.

Deputy sheriff Jeff Carranza
San Francisco sheriff

September 8, 2015

RIP Brother. May you be with GOD and may GOD be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

August 29, 2015

Rest easy now brother. May God bless your family and department.

Detective C Clouchete
Osceola County Sheriff's Office

August 29, 2015

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your many years of service. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Whisenand during this time time of tragic and sudden loss.

Sr. Ptlmn Donnie Meaders(RET)
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

August 27, 2015

RIP Brother. May God be with your family and loved ones.

Patrolman Steven Austin
Trenton Police Department (NJ)

August 27, 2015

You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County PD, NY

August 22, 2015

So sorry for your loss. Prayers.

Ret. Deputy Sheriff's Tom and Diana Stri
Clayton County Sheriff Office Jonesboro Ga

August 22, 2015

Rest in peace, my brother. You are in God's police force. I will think of you every time I travel thru Tazewell County to visit family in Illinois. God Bless you.

Master Trooper (ret) Steve M. Jones
Virginia State Police

August 21, 2015

Thank you for your service. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your law enforcement family. You will not be forgotten. You will always be honored.... Rest easy...
-Police Unity Tour - Team CSPD
"We Ride For Those Who Died"
www.facebook.com/PUTCSPD

www.facebook.com/PUTCSPD PoliceUnityTour
Coral Springs Police Department, FL

August 20, 2015

Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Craig Whisenand. Thank you for your service to this country and your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your department at this time.

Chief Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Dept., Barnwell, SC

August 19, 2015

Rest in peace brother your watch has end.

Commander (ret) Len Jorgensen
Oak Park Illinois Police Dept

August 18, 2015

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J. Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

August 17, 2015

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Deputy Whisenand. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Tazewell County Sheriff's Office.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
U.S. Postal Inspection Service

August 17, 2015

Rest in peace brother.

Cpl. M. Davis #2614
Prince George's County Police

August 17, 2015

The DeKalb Police Department sends their sympathies! Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Whisenand. Thank you for your service Deputy Whisenand!

DeKalb Police Department

August 17, 2015

Rest in Peace

Tpr Neal E Merry
I.S.P. D-14

August 17, 2015

You will be missed and never forgotten. It was an honor to work with you. Rest in peace brother. Until we meet again.

Deputy Sheriff Steven Anthony
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, IL

August 16, 2015