The funeral of DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Christina Musil was held Thursday, as friends, family and colleagues said their final goodbyes to the veteran and mother of three.
“You are a true hero, you will not be forgotten and your memory will live on through your family and your brothers and sisters in blue,” said Sheriff Andrew Sullivan.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday ordered Illinois flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Musil, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he was in service last week.
“The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor JB Pritzker that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Display of the Flag Act must fly flags at half-staff in honor and remembrance of DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Christina Musil, 35, who tragically died in the line of duty on Thursday, March 28, 2024,” a state notice states.
“She was my confidante, my rock, and although my little sister, she always knew how to take care of me,” Musil’s older sister said at her funeral.
The flags were lowered at sunrise Tuesday. They will remain at half-mast until sunset Thursday, the advisory added.
Musil, 35, last Thursday was sitting inside her vehicle, parked on the right shoulder of southbound Illinois Route 23, when a single-unit Kenworth truck left the roadway to unknown reasons and struck the vehicle from behind.
Musil was rushed to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she was later pronounced dead.
Nathan P. Sweeney, 44, was charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of aggravated drunken driving causing death, with Musil dying in the line of duty, authorities said .
Sweeney also received citations for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane use and operating an uninsured vehicle.
WREX in Rockford reported that Musil leaves behind three children, ages 5, 11 and 12. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 1:30 p.m., with a public viewing from 10 a.m. to noon at the NIU Convocation Center, located at 1525 W. Lincoln Hwy. in DeKalb.
NBC Chicago
