title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF DETECTIVE TIM JONES
WHEREAS, Park Forest Detective Tim Jones, whose remarkable fight for life after being critically wounded in a 2016 line-of-duty shooting galvanized a nationwide show of support, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Detective Jones’s passing signifies the conclusion of a struggle characterized by resilience, faith, and an unwavering community that stood steadfastly by his side; and
WHEREAS, Detective Jones, a native of Tinley Park and a second-generation police officer, joined the Park Forest Police Department in June 2015. On March 19, 2016, less than a year into his service, he was fatally shot multiple times while apprehending an armed suspect following a break-in incident; and
WHEREAS, despite the severe injuries that left him with life-threatening trauma, and doctors warning his family that he would likely not survive the initial days, Detective Jones defied all expectations; and
WHEREAS, Tim Strong’s recovery garnered widespread attention throughout the region as he underwent extensive surgical procedures and endured years of rehabilitation. The phrase “Tim Strong,” coined shortly after the shooting, swiftly emerged as a symbol of his resilience and the community’s unwavering faith in his recovery; and
WHEREAS, in response, Park Forest community members displayed their support through various means. Blue porch lights illuminated the neighborhood, fundraisers were organized, and residents donned shirts and carried signs bearing his name. The hashtag #TimStrong gained significant traction, garnering thousands of mentions; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Officer Jones’s unwavering courage has been consistently recognized by the public. Village leaders have made it a point to honor him during board meetings, and in 2018, Park Forest proudly designated a section of Lakewood Boulevard as Honorary Officer Tim Jones Way; and
WHEREAS, his locker remained in place at the police department, where he served as an honorary detective and remained deeply beloved by officers and staff; and
WHEREAS, as the anniversaries of his shooting passed, residents honored him by wearing blue, sharing memories, and commemorating Jones’s resilience, and his story became a defining part of Park Forest’s identity, a testament to perseverance in the face of adversity; and
WHEREAS, Detective Jones embodied the epitome of courage, resilience, and heart, serving as an eternal source of inspiration; and
WHEREAS, Detective Jones was loved and will be missed by many, but his legacy will live on forever. He leaves behind to cherish his memory a host of loved ones, family, friends and colleagues;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby honor the life of Detective Tim Jones as a distinguished member of the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby offer its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of Detective Tim Jones; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Detective Tim Jones so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
end