Knox County Sheriff's Office, Illinois
End of Watch Friday, April 29, 2022
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
As I continue to learn about this story for a school assignment, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for taking the ultimate sacrifice to serve your community. May you rest in peace.
Michael Fisher
Grundy Area Vocational Center - Criminal Justice
January 18, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Thomas H. Kelly Jr.
Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge (ASAC)
New York Field Office
Federal Air Marshal Service
June 29, 2022
The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.
There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown
Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 5, 2022
In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!
"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whose blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC
May 21, 2022
Lord bless the family and friends of Deputy Weist with comfort, hope and peace that can only be found in You, Amen.
Pam
Wife of Lt. Kevin Clyde Mainhart EOW 5/11/2017
May 20, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Weist. I am truly sorry for your loss. The service and sacrifice of Deputy Weist will not be forgotten.
Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland
May 12, 2022
Rest in Peace Deputy Weist. May the Lord grant your family, friends and co-workers peace during this very difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
May 12, 2022
Hero's Live Forever Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist. I personally believe this to be true. May God watch over you, your family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Thank you for your service!
Reserve Deputy Brian Jacobsen
Mahaska County Iowa Sheriff’s Office
May 10, 2022
I hope this individual spends the rest of his brief life behind bars and NEVER knows freedom again. Deputy Weist, thank you for all of your service and may your eternal rest be ever Peaceful. God Bless you, Brother.
Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department
May 10, 2022
Rest in Peace brother
A fellow copper
St. Louis Police Department
May 9, 2022
PRAYERS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND OUR FAMILY OF BLUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF YOUR COMMUNITY. ANOTHER OFFICER TAKEN TO SOON. REST IN GODS ARMS.
MOTHER OF A DALLAS POLICEWOMAN LINDA KEM
May 9, 2022
Sheriff Weist, our world is full of evil people, and yet, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. My heart breaks for the sorrow that your parents are experiencing over the loss of their son. May God immerse you and your loved ones in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.
Jess Espinosa
Civilian
May 8, 2022
Rest In Peace Hero
Sending my deepest and most heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss. My sincere sympathy to your friends and family.
Rest In Peace.!
Enid Rodríguez
May 8, 2022
PRAYERS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND OUR FAMILY OF BLUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF YOUR COMMUNITY. ANOTHER OFFICER TAKEN TO SOON. REST IN GODS ARMS.
MOTHER OF A DALLAS POLICEWOMAN LINDA KEM
May 7, 2022
Another "Hero" taken.
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
May 5, 2022
You will be sorely missed my friend and always remembered as a true hero.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13
Captain Jason Landers (Ret.)
Knox County Sheriff's Office (IL)
May 5, 2022
RIP OFFICER AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE
Brett Allen
May 5, 2022
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Deputy Weist. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service
May 5, 2022
My deepest condolences to the entire Weist and to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
First Sergeant Thomas M. Webb (Retired)
New York State Police - Troop D
May 5, 2022
RIP Deputy Sheriff Weist. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Knox County, Mercer County and Aledo
Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police
May 5, 2022
Nick,
You didn't have to. You did anyway. Your actions were the epitome of selfless service and they exemplify your ethos.
We grieve as one but will continue the watch. So much to say... no words to say it. Rest in peace.
Sgt. Carl Kraemer, #840
Knox County Sheriff's Department
May 4, 2022
On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist and the extended law enforcement family of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Illinois.
End of Watch Friday, April 29, 2022.
Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.
I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.
By Jon F. Hooper
"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
May 4, 2022
I had only been a police officer about 8 years and had just got home from working a 3p to 11 p shift when one of my fellow officers arrived at my house to deliver the news that my mother, age 58, had died suddenly and unexpectedly in my hometown, about 45 miles away, and my dad had been trying to contact me. I drove to be with him. We met with the medical examiner who explained what he believed to be the cause of death. I stayed overnight with my dad, and around 1 A.M., I sat in my father's living room alone after he had gone to bed. I felt somewhat numb, seeking comfort from the Lord, whom I had really come to know early in my career as a police officer. I opened by Bible intending to turn to the Psalms which are very comforting to me during sad times and when I need to be encouraged. Instead, my Bible flipped open to a very small book called Lamentations and my eyes fell on the following verses of Lamentations 3:20-26 "....and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him. " The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
It is my prayer that these words are a comfort to you as they were to me. Today was my mother's birthday, she would have been 92.
Retired police officer Paul S. Barnes
Centerville Police Department, Centerville, Iowa
May 4, 2022
So sad to hear the news.
May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers, and friends.
Reserve Police Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department
May 3, 2022
Rest easy, brother.
Patrolman Michael Hepner
Lakeville Police Department (Indiana)
May 3, 2022