Visitation, Funeral Set For State Trooper Fatally Hit On I-294

DOWNERS GROVE, IL --- Visitation and funeral services have been set for Illinois State Trooper Christopher Lambert, who lost his life after he was struck by a car while helping victims of a crash on I-294 on Jan. 12. Trooper Lambert's visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, followed by a funeral at 10 a.m. Friday. Interment will be private.

Illinois State Police officials say Lambert, 34, who is survived by his parents, wife, and one-year-old daughter, "deliberately placed his vehicle in a position to protect the lives of the victims of the previous crash, and took on the danger himself." Lambert was heading home from work when he pulled over to help crash victims on I-294 near the Willow Road exit. At approximately 4:45 p.m., Lambert was hit by an oncoming vehicle that neglected to stop at the scene of the initial crash.

Lambert was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries at approximately 7:24 p.m.

Trooper Lambert was a five-year veteran who served the Illinois State Police District 15 in Downers Grove since graduating from the ISP Academy in 2013. Before serving as an Illinois State Trooper, Lambert served in the United States Army for eight years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lambert family at the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website at www.isphf.org/donations with the words "Trooper Lambert Memorial Fund" in the comments, or by mail to Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 8168, Springfield, Illinois 62791.

What: Visitation and Funeral for Illinois State Trooper Christopher Lambert

When: Visitation on Jan. 17 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Funeral at 10 a.m. on Jan. 18; Private interment to follow

Where: Willow Creek Community Church67 Algonquin Rd., South Barrington

Image via Illinois State Police Department