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Community Honors Park Forest Detective Tim Jones at Celebration of Life

About 1,000 people gathered at his alma mater, including officers from roughly 30 departments.

Overview

  • The service was held Saturday at Tinley Park High School, where mourners lined up for public and first‑responder walk‑throughs before an afternoon program.
  • Jones died on Dec. 3 at age 34, nearly a decade after being shot in 2016 while responding to a break‑in, an injury that left him paralyzed.
  • Officials and loved ones hailed his perseverance and service, with Park Forest’s police chief and mayor calling him an inspiration and a hero.
  • The 2016 shooter, identified as 21‑year‑old Thurman Reynolds, was killed by officers after Jones was critically wounded during the encounter.
  • His legacy includes organ donations that aided about 75 people, an honorary street sign, a 2021 promotion to detective, and ongoing departmental tributes such as preserving his desk and locker.