Wednesday, July 18, 2007 11:03 PM CDT
Men charged in Douglas deputy's death
By LISA BARTELT, Staff Writer
lbartelt@jg-tc.com
UPDATED: TUSCOLA — Two Chicago men accused of shooting a Douglas County deputy on June 21 are facing murder charges after the deputy died Tuesday night.
William B. Thompson, 26, and Yusef Kareem Brown, 23, were arraigned on three charges each of first-degree murder Wednesday afternoon at the Douglas County jail, according to the Douglas County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Chief Deputy Tommy “T.K.” Martin, 59, was pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, a news release from the Illinois State Police stated.
A member of Martin’s family also posted news of Martin’s death on a Web site devoted to the chief deputy.
“As everyone knows, the past few days have been very hard on my family, and especially my Dad. ... I can’t begin to express the gratitude that my Mom and I feel for all your kind thoughts, prayers, errands ran, food brought to the hospital, house sitting, dog sitting, taxi service, and of course all of the genuine love and concern for all three of us.
“I wish that there had been a different ending, but my Dad is now at peace ... I know that each and everyone of you will always keep my Dad in your heart.”
Martin had been in the hospital since being shot in the face and torso while responding to a home invasion call near the Hayes-Villa Grove Road on June 21.
Illinois State Police investigator Matt McCormick testified at a hearing last week that Thompson and Brown fled a traffic stop on Interstate 57 that day before entering the rural Douglas County home, binding the home’s occupants, Ryan Riddell and Jeremy Shunk, and robbing them.
McCormick’s testimony also indicated the two suspects bound a third person, Betsy Orwick, when she arrived at the home.
Martin radioed as he approached the home that a black truck and brown van were leaving the scene. His next report was that he’d been shot.
According to testimony, Thompson and Brown led police on a high-speed chase in the van on I-57 before exiting at Arcola.
In Arcola, the van crashed near the railroad crossing and Thompson ran to the First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust, demanded money and took hostages, McCormick said.
None of the hostages were harmed, and the standoff ended about 6:30 that evening.
Before Wednesday, Thompson and Brown were charged with a combined 48 offenses related to the June 21 events.
The two pleaded not guilty to the charges during last week’s hearing.
Martin, a veteran of law enforcement, retired from the state police before becoming Douglas County’s chief deputy when Sheriff Charlie McGrew was elected in 2004.
Late Wednesday, officials at Hilligoss-Shrader Funeral Home in Tuscola announced funeral arrangements for Martin. Visitation is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Tuscola High School gymnasium.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Tuscola Township Cemetery.
Contact Lisa Bartelt at lbartelt@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.
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Rotty wrote on Jul 19, 2007 4:09 AM: