FROM THE SHERIFF’S DESK, VOL 8 NR. 1

By Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp

Happy New Year, Christian County!

With 2018 here, many of us have taken reflection on the previous year. Those thoughts and considerations can be different for everyone and what you choose to look back upon is up to you. This time of looking back can help with setting new goals you’d like to work toward in the New Year.

As the Christian County Sheriff’s Office did an internal reflection, we highlighted our highs and lows of 2017. Re-evaluating our “highs and lows” is something my family and I do every day. Especially with coming into the New Year, this is a great opportunity to share with you what we’re looking at and how we plan to move forward.

Department Lows:

• The escaping of two inmates from the Christian County Jail.

  • Several policy and procedure violations were made by our correctional officers. Since then, we have new policies in place and the correctional officers have been disciplined for their violations. As a department, we can assure the community that many measures have been taken to prevent this from happening again.

• Two opiate overdose deaths in Christian County.

• Although this was six fewer than the numbers in 2016, two is still too many. As a department, we’re constantly looking for ways to bring awareness to the opioid painkiller addiction and how to decrease abuse of the substance. In 2018, we challenge ourselves to heighten awareness for all and to find ways to work with the community. We need to proactively engage in this opioid epidemic as it is slowly spreading into our own hometowns.

• As a department, fatalities are an unfortunate part of the job. Five of these deaths occurred from one train-auto accident. We encourage all motorists on our roads to remain alert and safe when going to, and from, any destination.

• Six traffic fatalities in Christian County.

Department Highs:

• Quick and effective work to apprehend the two inmates who escaped the Christian County Jail.

  • Once our department was notified of the escapees, our officers were able to apprehend these men within three hours. This is impeccable and a true test to the training and hard work our officers put in every day. We are proud of our officers and appreciate how quickly they captured the subjects to ensure safety in the community.

• Apprehension of an armed, and barricaded, off-duty Macon County Sheriff’s deputy.

• Our department is proud to work with state, county and local law enforcement departments. This apprehension was successful because of the combined work effort of the above departments. The off-duty deputy did not inflict or receive any injuries during the apprehension. Christian County is always ready to help when needed and we appreciate the work of our officers.

• These individuals attended 12-step meetings while housed at the Christian County Jail, which is conducted two times a week. Between 10 to 17 males, and 5 to 10 females, attend these meetings and the department recognizes the hard work each individual who completed the program put in.

• Jeff Brown was recognized for his investigative techniques in an investigative case which led to the seizure of 108 grams of (ICE) methamphetamine and two handguns. This investigation also led to the arrest of two individuals for meth trafficking and meth delivery in Christian County. Our department is truly proud of the work Jeff Brown brings to our community and we appreciate his commitment to keeping our community safe.

• 13 individuals completed Problem Solving Court in Christian County.

• Christian County Investigator Jeff Brown was recognized at the Illinois MEG (Metropolitan Enforcement Group) Directs and Task Force Commanders Association Annual Awards Banquet.

Our department will continue to look at our list of “highs and lows” and how we will use this as a driving force to provide safety to you. If you have any questions, or want to learn more about what we’re doing, please reach out to your local law enforcement.

January 9^th was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Though this day has passed, we wanted to give a shout out to our officers who continue to work on providing safety in our community. Our departments wouldn’t be as successful without the strong team we have. We thank you for your service!

The following are some interesting numbers from 2017.

Jail Bookings 988

Calls for service 5950

Crashes 406

DUI’S 27

Speeding Citations 774

Criminal Arrests 73

Department Activity for the last 5 months:

Correctional Center