Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist was struck and killed by a vehicle as he deployed spike strips during a vehicle pursuit of an armed subject.
Officers from the Galesburg Police Department had responded to a call involving an armed subject at a local gas station at about 8:00 am. The man fled in a vehicle, and the Galesburg officers initiated a pursuit. Deputy Weist was deploying spike strips on U.S. Route 150 at N 150th Avenue in Henry County when the vehicle struck him. The subject's vehicle then crashed into a field, and he was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.
The man was charged with two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated fleeing and eluding. In 2023, the suspect pleaded guilty to one count each of felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated fleeing, and improper traffic lane usage. In 2025, he was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Weist had served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office for four years and previously served with the Mercer County Sheriff's Department and the Aledo Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother, father, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B4DB2965- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Weist gave the Knox County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Weist.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas D. Weist's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas D. Weist Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas D. Weist is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas D. Weist was killed by automobile.