Here’s how you can participate Tuesday in honoring slain Pontoon Beach officer
Illinois State Police are encouraging the public to line the processional route Tuesday following the funeral service for slain Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmins.
The 11 a.m. funeral service at Gateway Convention Center is by family invitation only, and the graveside service is private, state police said in an announcement.
Immediately following the funeral service, there will be a low-speed procession from the convention center at 1 Gateway Drive in Colllinsville to Woodland Hill Cemetery in East Alton.
“Intersections along the route will be blocked to allow for safe travel of the vehicles in the procession,” the state police announcement said. “The public is highly encouraged to line the route to show support.’’
Here is the route of the procession, in order:
- West on Gateway Drive
- North on Eastport Plaza Drive
- West on Horseshoe Lake Road
- North on Illinois Route 111 (Through Pontoon Beach)
- East on Interstate 270
- North on Illinois Route 255
- West on Madison Avenue
- North on Illinois Route 111 (Through Roxana and into Wood River)
- West on Edwardsville Road (Large law enforcement procession will end here)
The public can also watch the funeral service here or by typing this URL into your address bar: bit.ly/OfficerTimmins.
“Tyler was a loving father, husband, brother, son, uncle, cousin and friend to all,” his obituary states. “He will be remembered as a very loving, loyal and kind man who never met a stranger and had a servant’s heart of gold.”
Timmins was shot Tuesday when he approached what he believed to be a stolen pickup truck at the Speedway gas station at the intersection of Illinois 111 and Interstate 270.
Timmins, 36, was a veteran police officer in Madison County. He joined the Pontoon Beach Police Department in April 2020.
A Highland man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting.
Marks Mortuary in Wood River is handling the funeral arrangements.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 12:03 PM.