Casey J Kohlmeier Foundation

05/27/2021

Congratulations to Connor Huston of Coal City for receiving GAVC’s first Casey Kohlmeier Memorial Scholarship. We decided to add GAVC to our scholarships from now on because Casey also went to school in Coal City and they support our message so passionately. We couldn’t be any more proud of this young man. He reminds me of Casey more than any other young man I’ve ever met. He could not be any more deserving of this scholarship. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him!

11/06/2019

If anyone told me 6 years ago that I would be standing up in public and speaking in front of hundreds of people, pouring my heart out, not shaking uncontrollably, and not reading a prewritten speech, I would have told you you were crazy. It’s so easy now, getting up and sharing Casey’s story, that it’s hard to believe.
Once in a while, a kid comes forward and validates that what I’m doing is what I should be doing. Yesterday, in Coal City, I spoke to the Criminal Justice class. It was more emotional than most, likely because I was in the town where Casey grew up and made so many memories and made the decision to go into the US Air Force, become a police officer, and then to pursue his dream of becoming a Federal Agent. One young man, however, stood out to me - he was a wrestler - like Casey was. I could tell he took in every word I said and I was drawn to his personality and dedication to our cause. I received an email from him last night that brought tears to my eyes. My heart was filled with pride and peace. Peace that my son’s legacy will, indeed, live on in the hearts of others. He gave me permission to share it, so here it is:

Hello, This is Connor Huston, I am a student who heard you speak to my GAVC criminal justice 1 class (The one who wrestles in the last session). I can’t even to begin to explain how sorry I am for your loss. The talk I received from you this afternoon was the most touching speech I have ever received. The message you were trying to release was very powerful and clear, and I hope that every class you speak with understands the amount of tragedy that can happen in such a short amount of time… I am not able to relate a ton to your beloved son, but I can make the correlation that being in law enforcement is in my future and I hope that your story is a step in solving the problem of impaired and distracted driving in society. Just from the few moments I saw you today I began to notice how strong and held together you are, and it is amazing that instead of sorrowing over your loss, you are taking it and turning it into a lesson and a plan to change the decisions made by society. I know you do not know me well, but I couldn’t thank you enough for taking the time to come out to our class today and explain the dangers of impaired driving, you have truly left a mark in my life and this is something that I will remember forever.. Thank you again

- Connor Huston GAVC Criminal Justice 3rd session

11/06/2019

Prayers go out especially today to Josh Jahn. A young family destroyed by the carelessness of a drunk driver in a single instant. Please, remember our victims each and every time you see someone get behind the wheel after drinking or any way impaired. The lives left behind to endure a life sentence of grief and suffering could be yours. God bless these angels taken from this earth way too soon.

Today we remember the smiles, the laughs, and many hugs. We carry their memory with us, even while time presses forward. They will always be held in our hearts. In the quiet moments, even time cannot separate us.
Mandy, Ryan & little Kaitlyn will always be loved, and because of that, they will always be with us. And one day, we will all be reunited once again. ♥️

11/05/2019

Last Thursday, the day after Casey’s 6th angelversary, I had the honor of sharing his story with LACC law enforcement class. Thanks to Jack Bristow for inviting Ryli & I in so we can continue to make a difference and fight the war against drinking and distracted driving. These kids are at a crucial time in their lives to learn the dangers out there that threaten the world as they know it. I’m so blessed to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to my family and me.

11/05/2019

Spreading Casey’s story to his former school. Thankful for such great support! It’s days like today I feel Casey and I were both put on this earth for a reason. Thanks to Jeff Hanley and the GAVC Criminal Justice class at Coal City High School for such incredible support of our mission. It’s truly a blessing to be welcomed here!

04/30/2019

Seneca High School held Operation Prom Night today in front of the student body and faculty. Chief Lamboley and SHS School Resource Officer Ken Sangston are pictured with the featured speakers. Trooper Tracy of Illinois State Police Dist 10, and Keri Schmidt. Keri is the mother of Officer Casey Kohlmeier. Casey and his K9 Drako were killed in the line of duty in 2013 when their squad car was struck by a drunk driver. Both spoke on the importance of good decision making and to not drink and drive.

04/30/2019

Here’s another side of the same mission in life that I have. God bless the family for sharing this.
Just to let everyone know, I have reached out to the person who killed Casey and Draco, hoping he can help me in my commitment to save families from going through what we go through every day. He hasn’t responded. But I won’t stop. I will write again and Ryli said she would like to write to him, also. I’m hoping to someday forgive this man. Nothing will ever take the pain away, but forgiveness will ultimately heal a piece of my heart and Ryli’s, too, in addition to help our cause. I’m certain I t’s what Casey would want.

To the Graduating Class of 2019:

Our son Brian Hoeflinger died in a tragic car accident four months before graduating high school at the young age of 18. He was a kid just like you who had hopes and aspirations of going to college and having a full happy life.

On the night he died, he was at a party with friends drinking vodka and ended up driving intoxicated. I remember the phone call we received late that night when we learned Brian had been in a car accident. The sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach and the frantic racing of your heart when you don’t know if your child has been hurt or if he is even still alive. Your entire body trembles uncontrollably with fear as you anticipate what you will be told on the phone. We were told to come to the hospital immediately.

I remember the drive to the hospital. It was cold and snowing that night. We were so scared of what we were about to find out. How badly was our son Brian injured? When my wife and I arrived at the hospital, we were told Brian was dead. Our bodies were numb. We immediately felt empty and completely alone inside. “How can this nightmare be real?” is all you can think to yourself.

We were walked back to the room where Brian was. That image of our son lying there on a cold gurney dead at age 18 will never leave our minds for as long as we live. His pale lifeless body lying there almost as though he were asleep, wishing he were only asleep but knowing all to well that he was dead and never coming back home with us ever again. It is the worst singular feeling we have ever experienced in our lives.

The second worst feeling was telling our other three children at home about an hour later that their older brother Brian was dead and gone forever. The pain we inflicted upon them at that moment in the middle of the night was unthinkable. There are no words to give justice to what took place. At our children’s request, we took them to the hospital to see Brian. It would be the last time that they would ever get to see him so close to being alive. It was heartbreaking to watch Kevin, Julie and Christie say goodbye to their big brother forever that night. The lasting image of him lying there dead on a gurney in the emergency department permanently seared into their minds. That life we had with Brian is over now and an unwelcome new life without Brian has taken its place.

We tell you this story because Brian could be any one of you, if you choose to drink. And we say choose, because it is your choice and nobody else’s. Once you take your first drink of alcohol, you are not making the decisions, the alcohol is. You are putting yourself and others at risk for injury or, even worse, dying like Brian.

Now you may say that Brian was stupid and not a responsible person. You would never be that dumb or make that mistake and it could never happen to you. Well, Brian used to say that too and look how it turned out for him. Let us tell you, Brian was not a stupid person. He had a 4.5 GPA, 32 ACT score, was a 4 handicap golfer, and was accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was his first choice in colleges. Brian always made good decisions until alcohol was involved. You see, you can’t make good decisions when you drink alcohol. No matter how much you think you can, you can’t. Brian proved that.

He is now frozen in time at the age 18 with no chance to move forward or to make a difference in the lives of others. As for you, you are very much alive and able to make your destiny what you want. This is a very defining time in your life because at this moment you are able to choose the path in life you wish to follow. At this moment, you have the chance to help change the future by taking a stand against drinking, especially drinking and driving. You are able to define who you are and to make a difference now. It is your time to be a leader that others will want to follow.

It is a privilege to be alive and to be able to make a difference in the lives of others. Brian lost that chance with a bad decision and we’re sure he wouldn’t make that same mistake twice. But for Brian, there is no second chance. No chance to redo things. As for you, you still have the chance to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. If we could ask you to remember just one thing from this letter, it would be to have fun without drinking. Be a leader and make it cool not to drink. You can do it. We know you can.

And lastly, but most importantly, don’t Drink and Drive or ride with someone who has been drinking. If you could feel for only a brief moment the extreme anguish and pain that we as a family feel over Brian’s death every moment of every day, then you would understand what drinking can cost you and your family. Please think about it.
Think about what Brian lost, all his hopes, dreams and ultimately his life, as a result of alcohol. Please don't make the same mistake. Stay safe and make it to graduation. Don't put your family through what we are going through.

The Hoeflinger family
www.BrianMatters.com

Brian would have graduated June 6, 2013 from Ottawa Hills High School in Toledo, Ohio. He would be 24 years old now. As you are going through the fun and excitement of these final days, preparing for prom, graduation ceremonies and all the parties of your friends, think of us. There are no memories of senior prom for us or pictures of his graduation that we have. During graduation, we sat in the audience, not the proud parents of a wonderful son accepting his diploma with his classmates, but the parents choking back tears of grief and regret that he was not there. We are the parents who were never able to visit their son at college or who will never meet the wife and grandchildren that could have been. We are the siblings mourning the death of the brother that we all looked up to but will never see again. For us, this is the harsh reality of teenage drinking.

The above letter is part of a book that we wrote shortly after Brian's death. The book is titled, "The Night He Died: The Harsh Reality of Teenage Drinking." The book is real life. Have your kids read it. Their perspective on drinking alcohol will change. I promise. If your interested in learning more about Brian, please visit our website at www. BrianMatters.com.

Most Importantly, Please Share this Post with all your Facebook friends in hopes that we can save at least one graduating senior and their family from an unnecessary tragedy due to alcohol this prom and graduation season. Every senior should make it to graduation day!

12/11/2018

One of Casey’s closest and best friend’s mom passed away. Our hearts and prayers go out to Renae “Buda” and her family. Casey loved this lady and always put a smile on her face. Thank you so much for thinking of our foundation in your time of sorrow.

Linda L. Snow , 80, of Pontiac, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018, at 2:09 a.m. at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Her service will be Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac with Jim Haley officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Pontiac.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 12, 2018, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements.

Linda was born May 8, 1938, in Millington, IL to Lester C. and Dorothy R. (Power) Johnson. She married Richard D. Snow on May 31, 1965, in Sardis, MS. He passed away October 25, 1995.

She is survived by her five children, Leann D. (Kenneth) Flowers of Pontiac, IL, Leland D. (Tina) Soule, Jr. of Pontiac, IL, Richard D. “Snowball” Snow II of Cullom, IL, Renae D. “Buda” Snow of Pontiac, IL, and Rose D. Snow of Fairbury, IL; four brothers, Greg L. (Jackie) Johnson of Oklahoma, Lester C. (Janet) Johnson of Saunemin, IL, Frederick P. (Lynda) Johnson of Pontiac, IL, and Kevin D. Johnson of Pontiac, IL; five sisters, Patricia A. (Steve) Billerbeck of Kempton, IL, LaDonna L. (Dan) Booth of Pontiac, IL, Veronica K. (David) Pritchard of Mississippi, and Roberta Lynn (Ian) Stacel of Saunemin, IL; five grandchildren, Angela R. (Orlando) Sandoval of Pontiac, IL, Amanda D. (Matt) Pfaff of Odell, IL, Tiffany D. (Matt) Armstrong of Pontiac, IL, Kyle D. Soule of Hamilton, IL, and Kylie R. Janssen of Cullom, IL; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; four children, Lesa L. Soule, Leslie D. Soule, LaVerne L. Soule, and Robyn D. Snow; two brothers, Dewey Johnson and Donald L. Johnson; and three sisters, Jacqulyne Johnson, Deborah R. Hornback, and Pamela M. Johnson.

Linda was a graduate of Pontiac Township High School, Class of 1956. She worked for various restaurants throughout the area until retiring from Mary’s Homestyle Restaurant in 2006.

Memorials may be made to the Casey J. Kohlmeier Foundation.

Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.