Joliet Police Honor Guard

06/14/2026

Happy 251st Birthday to the U.S. Army! We thank those Army veterans who have continued to serve the Joliet community as a Joliet Police Officer, and those specific Officers who have also chosen to become a Joliet Police Honor Guard member!

251 years of defending freedom. 🇺🇸🛡️

From the first musket shots in 1775 to the high-tech, multi-domain force of today, our Soldiers have always been, and always will be, ready to answer the call.

06/14/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸 June 14th is , which is a day dedicated to the red, white, & blue symbol of our great country. The Joliet Police Honor Guard takes great pride in presenting our nation's, state's, & city's flags at various events across Joliet, Illinois, & the United States. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

06/10/2026

Members of the Joliet Police Honor Guard participated in the 4th Annual "Joey’s Run" in remembrance of Joliet Police Officer Joe Hernandez, who passed away in September 2021 after a courageous cancer battle. Joe was a new member of the Joliet Police Honor Guard at the time of his passing, and we miss him greatly.

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Chief Evans on his retirement from the Joliet Police Department last month! Chief Evans was always a strong proponent of the Joliet Police Honor Guard throughout his time as Chief, and we greatly appreciated his constant support. Enjoy retirement, Chief!

HAPPY RETIREMENT CHIEF EVANS!

Today marks the final day of service for Chief Bill Evans at the Joliet Police Department.

Since arriving in March 2022, Chief Evans has led the department with compassion, approachability, and a genuine commitment to both the members of this agency and the residents of Joliet.

Throughout his tenure, Chief Evans prioritized advancing the department through technology, expanding specialized units, addressing violent crime, and listening to the concerns of community members. He is known as a friendly and passionate leader who truly cared about making the Joliet Police Department better for both officers and the community we serve.

Chief Evans expertly guided our department through both challenging and successful moments, always leading with professionalism, steadiness, and care for others.

On behalf of the men and women of the Joliet Police Department, we thank Chief Evans for his leadership, dedication, and service to our city. His impact on this department will not be forgotten.

Congratulations, Chief Evans, on your retirement, and best wishes in your next chapter!

05/25/2026

The Joliet Police Honor Guard takes a moment today, on , to honor & remember those who passed while serving our country in the United States military.

Our group has members of nearly all military branches, and we're proud of the fact that these prior military veterans chose to continue serving their community in not only the Joliet Police Department, but also in the Joliet Police Honor Guard.

Recently during , Joliet Police Honor Guard members chose to visit Arlington National Cemetery and respectfully observe the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Sentry/Tomb Guards perform their 'Changing of The Guard' & "Wreath Laying' ceremonies. We were glad to have this opportunity to watch the best Honor Guard in the country perform their tasks.

05/22/2026

On May 22, 2026,both active & retired members of the Joliet Police Honor Guard & Joliet Police Department, and their families, assisted the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Squad, helping place American flags on gravesites at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Complex in preparation for Memorial Day. The Joliet Police Honor Guard takes pride in participating in this ceremony every year.

05/21/2026

On May 21, 2026, the annual Will County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony took place to remember and honor all the fallen law enforcement of Will County. The Joliet Police Honor Guard, along side our brothers & sisters in the Joliet Police Pipes & Drums, Joliet Police Department, and other Will County agencies, were in attendance to honor the fallen. The Joliet Police Honor Guard had the privilege of presenting the colors and performing taps during the ceremony.

05/21/2026

Join the Joliet Police Honor Guard today at 12PM on the old Will County Courthouse north lawn for our annual memorial ceremony to honor & remember the fallen officers of Will County.

05/20/2026

The Joliet Police Honor Guard had the honor and privilege in attending National Police Week 2026 in Washington DC. Our members had the opportunity to officially participate in the Candlelight Vigil, escorting survivor families into the ceremony.

The Honor Guard also visited the National Police Officer's Memorial, the Tomb Guards at Arlington National Cemetery, National Police Museum, and attended the 2026 Memorial Service at the Capitol.

We're honored to have attended the week's events, proudly representing the Joliet Police Honor Guard, Joliet Police Department, City of Joliet, and State of Illinois.

05/13/2026

National Police Week 2026
Fallen Joliet Police Department
Constable Francis DeLong #96
End of Watch: November 4, 1896

https://www.odmp.org/officer/18696-constable-francis-delong

National Police Week 2026
Fallen Joliet Police Department
Constable Francis DeLong #96
End of Watch: November 4, 1896

Constable DeLong was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man who had been arrested by Constable DeLong several times in the past and had just returned to Joliet from Chicago.

Constable DeLong was notified of the man‘s return and went to the man’s mother’s home to arrest him. The suspect had previously stated that he would shoot Constable DeLong if he tried to arrest him again. When Constable DeLong entered the home, the man shot him once, knocking him to the ground, and then shot him two more times.

The suspect left the scene, but then turned himself in later in the day. He confessed to murdering Constable DeLong and stated his only regret was that he hadn’t murdered his grandmother too. On March 6, 1897, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. In 1924 he escaped but returned voluntarily two years later because he said his conscience bothered him. He was paroled May 21, 1954, at age 81.

Constable DeLong had served as a Joliet Police Constable for four years. He was 64 years old at the time of his death, and was survived by his wife and four grown children. Joliet Police badge #96 has since been retired.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/18696-constable-francis-delong