"Any time we lose a trooper hurts, but today is Christmas Eve here on December 24, so it kind of hurts in a particular way," ISP Dir. Brendan Kelly said.

A fundraiser has been launched for the family of the Illinois State Police trooper fatally struck by a car while on the job on Monday. Clay M. Carns, 35, was described by loved ones as a “total team player” who considered being a father his top priority.

John Fleet of Wilmington faces charges following a fatal crash that left an officer dead on Interstate 55 near Channahon.

The 35-year-old state trooper was removing debris from a lane on I-55 outside of Joliet when he was struck by a passing vehicle, according to ISP.

"This is a sad day for the Illinois State Police as we mourn the death of Trooper Clay M. Carns, who was killed while serving the people of Illinois and working to keep our roadways safe,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $141,000 for the family of Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns, who was struck and killed in a crash on Monday while working on I-55 in Will County.

The family of Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns, who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 55 in Will County while removing debris from the roadway, said in a statement their “world has been shattered” and they “will never be the same” following his death.