There were heavy hearts at a very emotional celebration of life at Tinley Park High School, the alma mater of Officer Jones, who battled for about a decade after being injured in the line of duty. All of his family and friends spoke to the kind of resilience Jones offered throughout his life
Detective Jones was 24 years old when he was shot in the head in March of 2016 while responding to a burglary. Jones died earlier this month, nearly 10 years after the shooting.
A public walk-through was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A first responder walk-through was held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration of life service began at 2 p.m.
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Community honors life of Park Forest Detective Tim Jones: FULL SERVICE
Jones was shot and paralyzed after working for the Park Forest police department for less than a year. It was the first time a Park Forest officer had been shot in the line of duty in over 20 years, officials said.
"Tim will always be an inspiration and a reminder of the power of strength, faith, and the unwavering support of family and loved ones," the Park Forest Police Department said in a statement. "While our hearts are broken, we remain incredibly proud of the fight he gave."
Hundreds of people showed up Saturday to honor fallen Officer Jones.
At the time of the shooting in 2016, doctors warned the family that his injuries were life-altering and he likely wouldn't survive, but Jones fought courageously for nearly a decade before passing away Dec. 3.
"Officer Jones was just titan jones before he started in the police force," Tinley Park High School principal Theresa Nolan said. "He was a student at Tinley Park High School, an amazing student, an amazing athlete, an amazing friend, just an all around beautiful person."
Jones played four years of football at the school. Nolan and the school wanted to make sure the fallen officer was honored at his alma mater, surrounded by the community he left such a strong legacy in.
"That fighting spirit, that never give up attitude," Nolan said. "I know that in his heart he wanted to walk again he wanted to live out his dreams as a young man and our world was blessed to have him for another nine years after this terrible accident."
The Jones family and his friends were overwhelmed with gratitude as they were surrounded by loved ones.
"I feel grateful the family feels grateful all the support over the years it's been tremendous," lifelong friend Kyle Rodriguez said. "Tim had a devastating injury ten years ago and for everyone to still remember him and come together to support him it means a lot."
Rodriguez was Jones' lifelong best friend who shared the field with him in high school and stood by his side through the near-decade fight Jones faced as he tried to recover from his injuries. It was a life of resilience they will now hold in their hearts forever.
"It allowed Tim to prove who he was when that injury happened it opened his eyes after he was shot in the head," Rodriguez said. "It showed what kind of character he had and the ability to fight through."
All of the loved ones said Tim Jones' resilience and his story does not end here. They say he will continue to watch over everyone bringing his power all throughout this community.
See ABC7's previous coverage here:
- Police officer critically injured, man killed in Park Forest
-1 year after shooting, Park Forest officer recovering from injuries
-Park Forest honors police officer paralyzed in line of duty shooting
-Park Forest Detective Tim Jones dies nearly 10 years after shooting