“I am Mayor/Village President Joe Woods of this mighty and humble Village we call Park Forest, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, and Village staff, I and we, extend our sincere condolences to you, the immediate family of Officer Tim Jones, proudly known as “Tim Strong!” and affectionately known as Tim.
And as we navigate that winding road between mourning his death and celebrating his life, we pray that your weight of despair in the darkest night BE LIFTED in knowing that Tim will forever remain in the hearts and minds of Park Forest residents, and citizens throughout this land.
This day, we celebrate his life, for he gave so much with so little urging. We celebrate this SUPERHERO who gave everything.
Tim did not LOSE his life, he GAVE IT! . . . To an entire community.
This REAL HERO who fought courageously, armed with REAL SUPERPOWERS: his CONSCIENCE, his DEDICATION, and his SENSE OF DUTY.
Yes, a SUPERHERO, because he defied the gravity of that most basic human instinct—to run FROM DANGER. Instead, he ran TO IT.
Perhaps, this is a defining day that propels us to remember those who shall never be forgotten, a day that compels us to want to be BETTER citizens, BETTER men, BETTER women, to be of BETTER SERVICE!
Let it be written and let it be known across the land that this FALLEN officer has RISEN to his commitment and his oath to serve and protect!
Tim, you are a SUPERHERO indeed!
May you rest in eternal peace. Tim Strong!"