28-year veteran Elgin police officer dies
Elgin Police Officer Stevenson "Steve" Jones, remembered for his efforts in helping the community and mentoring kids, died Sunday.
Jones, 59, a school resource officer at Kimball Middle School, died suddenly after feeling ill and going to a hospital, Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened as we know the community is as well," he said. "Steve worked for 28 years making Elgin a better place. We miss him already."
Jones was well known throughout Elgin, where he spent his entire career after being hired in 1989, Swoboda said.
"He was a busy guy that always tried to do things that made the police department better, the community better," he said. "Just a hardworking guy that always had his eye on big goals."
He helped organize the "community conversations" series held between police and residents at Second Baptist Church of Elgin about two years ago, and was active with The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
He also had a mentoring program for kids, whom he connected with people he knew. He mostly worked behind the scenes.
He was a big sports fan, especially of the Chicago Bulls, and last month organized a visit at Kimball by Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, the former Bears running back.
"Steve was just all about people," Swoboda said. "He was woven into the fabric of Elgin."
Jones earned 16 letters of appreciation, a department commendation in 1995, and distinguished service awards in 2010 and 2015, Cmdr. Colin Fleury said. He worked patrol for many years and at one point was a member of the department's drug unit and the multijurisdictional North Central Narcotics Task Force.
Grief counselors are available at Kimball, he said. "There a lot of very sad kids and very sad teachers," Fleury said.
Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., Elgin, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday when services begin at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 4301 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago.