Trooper Chong Soo Lim

Trooper Chong Soo Lim

Illinois State Police, Illinois

End of Watch Tuesday, June 6, 1995

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Chong Soo Lim

Trooper Chong Soo Lim was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind and burst into flames during a traffic stop on the Northwest Tollway.

Trooper Lim stopped a car on I-90 near Hoffman Estates. He was sitting in his squad car when a pickup truck struck the rear of his vehicle and forced it into the automobile in front of him. The force of the collision caused the gas tank to explode and trapped Trooper Lim inside.

The 31-year-old driver, in the country illegally from Mexico, was arrested for DUI. He was later convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Born in South Korea, Trooper Lim patrolled District 3 in Chicago upon graduating from the Academy. He transferred to the midnight shift in District 15, Oak Brook, just one month before his death. He is survived by his wife.

On June 5, 1996, District 15, Oak Brook, dedicated its operations area in memory of Trooper Lim.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 5 years
  • Badge 4348

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicular assault
  • Incident Date Monday, June 5, 1995
  • Weapon Automobile
  • Offender 8 year sentence

illegal alien, Impaired Driver, traffic stop, vehicle crash

Most Recent Reflection

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Chong, I was an intern finishing college back in 1994. I spent six weeks with investigations and six with patrol. I was paired up with you the week you spent off the road with investigations. You were one of the great ones. I remember driving with you in a full sized van that we were relocating back to Des Plaines - think it was going to be used for work with the World Cup which was in Chicago that summer. As we came up to a toll, I remember the funny look the toll booth operator gave you when a couple of young guys in plain cloths drive up to the to booth and say, "this is a police vehicle, let us through". Your badge went a long way for that one. Hard to believe that was 30 years ago. I barely knew you, but your memory lives on my friend. You were a great man.

Brian
Intern

January 24, 2024

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