Thomas E. Ceja

Lt. Thomas E. Ceja, 49, of Springfield, died at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at Memorial Medical Center. Thomas was born January 5, 1959 in Chicago Heights, the son of Raul N. and Mary I. Barba Ceja. He married Elizabeth Ann Weule on April 23, 1988 in Jerseyville. Thomas graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, IL and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1977 to 1981 where he attended jump school, scuba school and ranger school. He was also an Army Ranger. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Command Officer Association with the Illinois State Police and the FBI National Academy. Thomas belonged to First United Methodist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher for several years. Thomas was hired by the Illinois State Police on October 10, 1983 into Cadet Class #69. He was first assigned to District 9 patrol in Springfield as a Trooper. In March 1988 he was transferred to the ISP Academy, Office of Training. In July 1990 he was advanced to Trooper First Class, and in November 1991 he became class coordinator at the ISP Academy. In April of that same year, he was appointed as the Underwater Search and Rescue Training Coordinator as well as Defensive Tactics Coordinator. In October 1993 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and in December 1996 he was promoted to Master Sergeant. In April 1997 he was assigned from the ISP Academy to the Division of Internal Investigations. In July 1998 he was assigned as the Assistant Commander in the Critical Incident Response Command (CIRCOM). In April 1999 he was assigned as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Director within the Division of Administration. The following year he was promoted to Lieutenant in that position. In July 2001 he was assigned as Administrative Lieutenant in District 9 patrol. In 2003 he was assigned to the Director's Office in charge of the Executive Protection Unit. In December 2004 he was assigned to the position of Chief, Statewide Support Bureau in the Division of Operations. In April 2006 he became the Research and Development Officer in the Division of Operations. Lt. Ceja was active in many assignments and special projects within the Department. He chaired the In Car Video Project that rolled out throughout the Department. He was a member of the ISP Color Guard. He served on the Awards Committee. He was a communications instructor and taught courses in leadership. He was an instructor in Workplace Violence Detection and Response and he was a physical fitness instructor. His awards and recognition include: recognized in 1986 for working the Chicago Expressway Detail; 1986 1991 he was a part of the Underwater Search and Rescue Team and served as an instructor; a Departmental Commendation in 1994; a Meritorious Service Award in 1995 for superior leadership and performance as a class coordinator at the ISP Academy; a Certificate of Recognition in 1999 for critical incident planning for a multi-agency response to disasters; a Unit Citation in 2001 for superb planning and administration of the "Y2K" contingency plan; a Unit Citation in 2001 for enthusiasm and expertise in delivering critical incident training to over 2000 students in an 18 month period; a Commendation for significant leadership in standing up the Amber Alert Program. Clearly, Lt. Ceja made a number of significant contributions to the Department and to the citizens of Illinois. He also touched many lives of those who are presently working for the Department as he mentored and trained them for their careers. He will be greatly missed. Thomas will be remembered first as a great father and friend. He was easy-going, helpful with anything and always optimistic. He enjoyed landscaping and loved to run and workout. He was a coach for his daughter's basketball team and a referee for 15 years for YMCA soccer programs. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Ann Ceja of Springfield; three daughters, Rachel E., Danielle M. and Morgan L. Ceja of Springfield; his parents, Raul N. and Mary I. Ceja of Chicago Ridge; three brothers, Ralph (wife, Lisa) Ceja of Chicago, Jim (wife, Janet) Ceja of Hoffman Estates and Michael (wife, Debbie) Ceja of Orlando, FL; two sisters, Toni Copeman and Jeanette (husband, Mike) Golden both of Hammond, IN; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 4:00 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 26, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield with Rev. Bob Swickard officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with Illinois State Police Honors provided by the Illinois State Police Honor Guard and military honors provided by the U.S. Department of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.