Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold led a special ceremony (Monday) to memorialize law enforcement officers and a civilian who died in a bloody shootout along I-57 40 years ago.

The community joined the victims family members, Illinois State Police and state legislators in recognizing the new marked-signs along the interstate. The overpass will now bear their names forever. It happened at the I-57 overpass at Ford County Road 200 N in 1979.

The dedication remembers State Trooper Michael McCarter, his brother-in-law Donald Vice and Police Officer Bill Caisse. They were killed in the gun battle. Officer Larry Hale was also shot, but survived.

Those attending gathered in the Paxton Fire Station. The colors were presented, the national anthem was sung and speakers included Mayor Ingold, State Police Director Leo Schmitz and legislators, State rep. Tom Bennett and Sem. Jason Barickman.

The overpass will now forever be marked and called the McCarter - Vice - Caisse - Hale Memorial Overpass.

McCarter, Caisse and Vice were killed April 7, 1979. A shootout erupted with the Lampkin brothers, of Michigan, who were stopped for speeding on their way to Tennessee.

94.1 WGFA