University News

OPS Officer Krystal Scott
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Krystal and her daughter, Kyra, on the set at UTV to tape a thank you video.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

WIU Mourns the Loss of OPS Officer Krystal Scott

June 12, 2020

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- Krystal Scott, 37, a Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety officer, passed away June 11 in Chicago after a hard fought battle with cancer.

"The Western Illinois University community mourns Officer Krystal Scott's passing. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers," said Western Illinois University Interim President Martin Abraham.

The Office of Public Safety paid tribute to Krystal on the department's Facebook page:

"For anyone that met her, knew she was the softest spoken and gentlest of any of our officers. We cannot begin to express how heartbroken our department is. There isn't a thing that any one of them wouldn't have given for her to have a little more time on this earth."

Krystal's mother, Gloria Scott, added "I would like to thank everyone for all of their help and their prayers."

Scott, a 2009 WIU law enforcement and justice administration graduate, began her career with OPS in July 2009. She was a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) instructor for women in this community and an arrest and control tactics instructor for WIU police officers. She was also working toward a master's in public safety administration.

From a 2016 release on the female officers at OPS, Scott said: "WIU has been my second home for the past 11 years through education and occupation. I love WIU because of the supportive professors, staff members, co-workers and friends."

Scott also worked in investigations and specialized in working with sexual assault victims to seek justice.

"Krystal was a hard-working, dedicated and passionate individual, in and out of uniform, and she was a wonderful mother to her daughter," said Det. Sarah Worthington.

OPS Det. Kalib McGruder first met Krystal at the YMCA north side gym when their children took a tumbling class together.

"Krystal asked about becoming an officer, I explained to her the process and she went out and did it. I never doubted her. Everything she said she would do, she did. She told me she would fight this until the end, and she did," McGruder said. "She was very quiet, until you got to know her, then she wasn't. In a group setting, once you knew her, she communicated a lot with her expression and eyes. A slight smirk here, a sideways glance there, always told me what she was thinking. Our community is at a loss with her passing. She was great at her job, and she was a great mother and friend. I am going to miss her very much."

Former OPS Officer McKenzie Taylor noted that Krystal was, "hands down, the absolute strongest person I've ever known.

"She had this air to her, a silent strength that even someone who didn't know her well could feel coming from her," Taylor added. "She was so much more than a co-worker. Krystal was someone I looked up to and was an amazing friend. Krystal made me a better officer and a better person. I will carry memories of her with me always."

OPS Interim Director Derek Watts added if he could sum up Officer Krystal Scott in one word, it would be "passion."

"Krystal's main passion was her daughter, Kyra, who we all watched grow up into a tremendous young lady. Her second passion was her job as a police officer. Whatever she was assigned, or took on, she did it with a zeal that was unmatched," Watts said. "I had the opportunity to teach RAD and arrest and control tactics with Krystal for several years, and the one thing I will never forget about these times was the sly smile that she would get when it was her turn to demonstrate a technique on me. She will be greatly missed and always hold a special place in all of our hearts."

Services are pending.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing