The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Spoon River Valley Lodge 427 Foundation has established the Deputy Nick Weist Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of the Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in the line of duty on April 29, 2022. Teams are being sought for the first official fundraiser to support the scholarship, a Music Trivia Night on Saturday, May 3rd, at 6 p.m. at the American Legion in Abingdon.
The Deputy Nick Weist Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide assistance for college Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration majors who are from Knox, Mercer, Henry, Warren and Fulton Counties. Applications are available at www.srvfop427.com/benefits, and applicants must provide grade transcripts; a letter of recommendation from a high school principal, teacher or counselor; and proof of enrollment in a college-level law enforcement class.
The May 3rd Music Trivia Night entry fee is $150 per team of up to ten players and the contest includes mulligans and doublers. There will be a limit of 15 teams. The first place team will win $250 and a 50-50 drawing will also be available. Email [email protected] for entry information. Entry fees and other event proceeds are considered a tax deductible contribution to the 501(c)3 Deputy Nick Weist Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“The Nick Weist Memorial Scholarship honors an exemplary public servant who was taken from us far too soon, and this scholarship will help others who have a desire to serve the public,” said Lodge 427 President Donald “Ike” Hackett. “We encourage all trivia enthusiasts to help us kick off this scholarship fund by joining us on May 3rd, for good fellowship and friendly competition.”
The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing officers, the FOP is the most respected and most recognized police organization in the country. The Illinois FOP, chartered in 1963, is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 34,000 active duty and retired police officers – more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide. Visit www.ilfop.org for more information.
