The Knox County Sheriff’s Office continues to mourn the loss of Deputy Nicholas “Nick” Weist. Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Weist was killed in the line of duty while serving the citizens of Knox County on April 29, 2022.
Deputy Weist was born to Kevin Weist and Robin Monson in Platteville, Wisconsin. He married the love of his life, Jessica Weist, January 11, 2012. Nick was a devoted husband and father to Jessica and his two children, Ava, age 12 and Emery, age 9.
Nick is survived by his wife and children of Viola, Illinois; his parents, Robin (Bill) Monson and Kevin Weist; sister, Lindsay Weist all of Davenport; his paternal grandfather, Donald Weist and maternal grandfathers, Donald Mueller and Jim (Carol) Nicholas, Jr. He is also survived by step siblings Jason (Cathleen) Monson; Bill (Christina) Monson; Ryan (Annie) Monson; Renee (Cory) Funk; Megan Monson; Jessica’s parents Cheryl and Lawrence Milder; sisters Kendra (Michael) Elledge and Jennifer (Joe) Kindon; and brother Benjy (Tiffany Bogardo) Milder. Nick was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Peggy Mueller and paternal grandmother, Mary Lou Weist.
Nick wanted to be a police officer since he was very little. He graduated from Western Illinois University in 2009 with a degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Following an internship with the Rock Island Police Department, he worked as a security guard for Trinity Hospital in the Quad Cities. In 2012, he was hired by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department as a 911 dispatcher and then as a Correctional Officer. On June 26, 2015 he was sworn into the Aledo Police Department and after graduating from the Illinois Police Training Institute in September 2015, he began his career on the road. He was also a volunteer for the Viola Fire Department. In 2018, he began working as a Sheriff’s Deputy for Knox County where he was working at the time of his death.
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ADD ONE/VISITATION AND FUNERAL
Family was Nick’s first priority. He loved anything outdoors, and he especially enjoyed mountain biking and fishing with his kids. He also enjoyed deer hunting, cooking, and playing video games. As a son, he cared deeply for his “Mama Bear” and his father, Kevin, whom he called “Papooh.” He was passionate about everything he did. Nick organized the explorer’s program at Aledo High School for kids interested in law enforcement and headed up college recruiting for the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. He was the Union President, a Taser instructor, and served as a leader in a number of different organizations within the Sheriff’s Department. He raised funds and participated in Shop with a Cop throughout his career. “His dedication to the sheriff’s department was unrelenting; he was respectful to all people, selfless, and always took care of others before himself (Deputy Shawn Keith).” “He always looked for ways to make the department better. He was a good husband and father above being an amazing cop. He never approached me with a problem without offering a solution (Captain Brian Brady).”
Please see service arrangements below:
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 2 p.m.
Galesburg High School
1135 W. Fremont Street, Galesburg, IL 61401
First Responder walk-through line-up will begin at 1 p.m. and take place at 2 p.m. A Memorial Service will begin after the First Responder walk through. A Law Enforcement Procession route will be released at a later date and the public is encouraged to line the route and show support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be made to the Quad City Bank & Trust, 3551 7th St #100, Moline, IL 61265.
NOTE: More specific information (i.e. procession route, media staging area, etc.) will be sent out in the near future.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***
