Al Dirks, 53, of Athens, Illinois, was shot and killed at his home on September 15, 2015. He was born June 7, 1962, in Springfield and was the son of Eddie and Dorothy Dirks. A 1979 Athens High School graduate, he later founded Area Glass in Athens at age 27 and was known locally for gardening, playing softball, and supporting the St. Louis Cardinals.

His wife, Sherrie Dirks, 51 at the time, was charged with first-degree murder in his death during a domestic dispute and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under a plea deal that capped possible prison exposure at 19 years. Her sentencing was set for May 31; court filings noted a possible sentence range of four to 15 years with a potential extended term of 15 to 30 years based on the heinous nature finding.

The shooting was described as the town’s first homicide in at least a decade. If anyone knew Al or has information about the events of September 15, 2015, please share what you remember.