Sgt. Douglas Riney's tombstone. | Facebook/ Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Page
Sgt. Douglas Riney's tombstone. | Facebook/ Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Page
Rep. Dan Swanson celebrated the life of a fallen police officer during Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Ride.
“Had the pleasure of attending The Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Ride,” Swanson wrote on Facebook.
In his obituary, Riney died in action and left his wife, Kylie Eddy, and two children Elea and James Riney.
Riney had his funeral at 11 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2016, at the Canton Evangelical Free Church.
“Riney entered active-duty service in July of 2012 as a petroleum supply specialist and was last assigned to the Support Squadron, 3rd Calvary Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, (in) December of 2012,” his obituary noted. “He had previously deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July of 2014 to February of 2015, and also deployed from June of 2016 to October in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.”
Riney was a Fairview, Ill., resident. He died on October 19, 2016, in an attack in Kabul. He was assigned to the Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Hood, Texas.
After his death, his son, James Riney honored his father’s life by creating a shrine made with rain boots on a pink stool, a toy rifle between the shoes and a helmet in front of the family restroom sink one night.
Stars and Stripes reported the 4-year-old did it without the mother knowing and explained to her later in the morning it was for the dead father.
In 2018, Representative Cheri Bustos's bill to rename the Fairview post office in honor of Riney was signed into law.
“Although we will never be able to make up for the loss of Sgt. Riney, I hope this post office serves as an enduring reminder of the brave and selfless legacy of a local hero,” Rep. Bustos said. “Too often, we take for granted the tremendous sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform. While Sgt. Riney has left this world, in years to come generations of Illinoisans will remember and honor his service through this memorial.”
Race Roster wrote the memorial also has a scholarship.
The Chicago Sun-Times honored Riney in 2017.
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