SPRINGFIELD, IL – It’s been more than 25 years since Edgar County Deputy John Landrum was killed in the line of duty, but his memory will live on due to legislation sponsored by State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and State Rep. Adam Brown (R-Champaign).
“Deputy Landrum gave his life in service to the people of Edgar County and as a result, we want to honor his memory by naming a portion of highway after him,” Rose said. “It remembers his’ sacrifice in defense of others and is one small way we can show our appreciation to his family for their loss.”
“As a minister and later a police officer, John Landrum devoted his life to serving others,” said Brown. “In honor of his sacrifice and dedication, it is only fitting that we honor Deputy Sheriff John D. Landrum by designating a section of US Route 150 in his memory.”
Before working 11 years in law enforcement, Deputy Sheriff John D. Landrum served in the ministry for more than 20 years. As a testament to his character and influence, five individuals, including his daughter, have followed in his footsteps and have become members of law enforcement.
Prior to his service with the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department, Landrum served as the Kansas, Illinois Police Chief for five years.
Both legislators have advanced House Joint Resolution 86 though the General Assembly and now a portion of US 150 will bear the slain officer’s name. A roughly nine-mile stretch of the route from Paris to the Indiana Border will be renamed the “Deputy Sheriff John D. Landrum Memorial Highway.”
HJR 86 passed the Senate on April 10 and will now await an official naming ceremony with the Landrum family.