The city of Elgin and the Kane County community is mourning the death of Elgin Police Officer James Willson, who died June 23 after his motorcycle collided with a deer.

Visitation for the public will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Wait-Ross-Allanson Funeral Home, 51 Center St., Elgin, followed by a memorial service from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“The men and women of the Police Department, and the city of Elgin, will miss Jim more than simple words can express,” an Elgin Police Department press release said. “His compassion, humor, professionalism, and dedication have touched hundreds of people over the years and will always be remembered.

According to the release, Willson was riding his personal motorcycle at around 11:30 p.m. June 23, 2015, on Five Points Road near Old State Street in unincorporated DeKalb County when his motorcycle collided with a deer in the roadway. “Immediately following this crash, Jim succumbed to heart failure and passed away,” the release said.

Willson began his career with the Elgin Police Department on Jan. 25, 1988. During that time, he received two Department Unit Citations and one Distinguished Service/Class 1 award. Prior to joining the Elgin Police Department, he was an MP in the United States Army from August 1983 through August 1985, when he was stationed in Germany and France.

Survivors include his wife, Alice (Kleppetch), whom he married on May 14, 1988; two sons, Austin and Connor Willson; three brothers, Michael, John and Mark Willson; two sisters, Mary (Jack) McCarthy and Patricia Harris, along with many nieces, nephews and family.

SOURCES: Elgin Police Department, Wait-Ross-Allanson Funeral Home