Deputy Troy Chisum, a 39-year-old white male, was tragically killed in the line of duty on June 25, 2019, in Avon, Illinois. Deputy Chisum was responding to a disturbance call in the 5200 block of East Troy Road when he was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 2:00 PM, and the suspect, Nathan Woodring, a 42-year-old man from Avon, barricaded himself inside a home following the shooting.
Deputy Chisum, who had served with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office for four and a half years, was also a paramedic with the Fulton County Emergency Management Agency and a member of the West Central Special Response Team.
Nathan Woodring, the suspect in the shooting, was taken into custody the following day without incident. Woodring had a history of run-ins with the law, including charges for resisting and obstructing a peace officer and fleeing and attempting to elude in 2018. Following his arrest, Woodring was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Deputy Chisum's death. The case proceeded to trial, where Woodring was found guilty but mentally ill on two counts of first-degree murder in October 2021.
During the trial, the defense argued for a change of venue and attempted to suppress certain evidence, but these motions were denied. Woodring was ultimately sentenced to life in prison in January 2022. The court recommended that Woodring receive mental health treatment while serving his sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentencing brought some closure to Deputy Chisum's family, although they expressed that no amount of jail time could heal the pain of their loss. Deputy Chisum's sister, Krysta Chisum, delivered an emotional victim impact statement, highlighting the profound impact of his death on their family.
Deputy Chisum's dedication to his community and his roles as a paramedic and member of special response teams underscored his commitment to public service. His tragic death and the subsequent legal proceedings against Nathan Woodring have left a lasting impact on the community and his loved ones.
