'Multi-agency' operation underway for Stoker
<p dir="ltr"><span>The search for Jason Michael Stoker continues to get more intense.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker confirmed Monday afternoon that a large "multi-agency" operation was currently underway to find the 34-year-old Stoker, who was driving the vehicle fallen Chester police officer and volunteer firefighter James Brockmeyer was attempting to stop on Friday night when the rollover accident occurred.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"There's a lot of bodies looking for him," said Walker, who declined to state the number or type of agencies involved.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The car Stoker was driving, a 2006 Pontiac G6, was found in Evansville on Saturday evening. Walker told local media that a person of interest was detained as a result.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"An interview was done with someone affiliated with the car," he said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Walker said no further details will be released about the accident itself "as to not jeopardize any prosecution of the accused."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Since it is a pending criminal case and a pending criminal investigation, we have to protect that," Walker said. "No. 1 priority is to prosecute the defendant."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Stoker is described as a white male, 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. A</span><span>nyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office (618-826-5484) or Illinois State Police (618-542-2171).</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Earlier Monday, Chester Community Unit School District 139 released school schedule changes to accommodate the funeral services for Brockmeyer, scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Chester High School's Colbert Gymnasium with the Rev. Tim Sims officiating.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Chester Grade School will dismiss at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, with the high school at 11 a.m. Both schools will be closed Thursday.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Both St. John Lutheran School and St. Mary's Catholic School will have a full day of school on Wednesday. Daycare will be available at St. Mary's, while there will be no bus service in the afternoon for St. John.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Both schools will also be closed Thursday.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Visitation for Brockmeyer will be from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, also in Colbert Gym. Brockmeyer, 22, was only 10 months into his tenure as a CPD patrolman.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The Herald Tribune will continue to have further updates as information becomes available.</span>