As people drive through Paxton on Route 9, they will now be travelling along the Trooper Marvin C. Archer Memorial Road, named in honor of an Illinois State Police (ISP) Trooper who died in the line of duty. The new designation was the result of House Joint Resolution 31, passed by State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Representative Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City).
Trooper Marvin Archer started his career as a state patrolman in 1940, before being called to serve a three year tour in the South Pacific during World War II. Archer returned to the state police when after his military service. In 1946, he and his partner stopped a stolen car in Paxton when a gunfight erupted. One of the two suspects in the car shot and killed Archer as the other suspect fled. The second suspect was later killed by police in Gifford after a chase.
“It’s important to honor the heroes who gave their lives to protect the people they serve, whether it happened recently or decades ago,” said Barickman. “I think we do a great job in today’s world of remembering our brave men and women who died in the line of duty, but we can’t forget the heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect our parents’ and our grandparents’ communities.”
“Trooper Archer is an example of the dedication and sacrifice of the State Police and all the men and women of law enforcement in every corner of our state and nation,” said state Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City).
The two lawmakers joined relatives of Trooper Archer, along with local officials, at a ceremony on September 23rd, to officially dedicate the section of Route 9 between South Washington Street and High Street in Paxton as the Trooper Marvin C. Archer Memorial Road.
