The Badge

Guns and Hoses Softball

2010-03-11T15:28:35-06:00

Save the date. Saturday, August 28, 2010. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the BackStoppers! Last year we raised $5000.00.

Join us on Nixle

2010-03-10T12:58:52-06:00

Scholarships from the Illinois Sheriff's Association

2010-03-04T14:55:57-06:00

The Illinois Sheriff's Association will be awarding $53,000 in college scholarships throughout the state to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2010-2011 academic year.

The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only and the student must be enrolled full time at a certified institution of higher learning within the state of Illinois.

There is no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, age, creed, color, sex or national origin. The only limitations are as follows: applicants must be permanent Illinois residents; scholarships must be utilized at institutions of higher learning within the state of Illinois; and students must be enrolled as full-time students during the 2009-2010 school year (excluding summer session).

Applications are now available at the Greene County Sheriff Department in Carrollton, at a student's local sheriff department, or on the Internet at www.ilsheriff.org

Students must complete the application, answer an essay question and return all documentation to the sheriff's office in their permanent county of residence by April 12, 2010 (must be postmarked by this date).

For more information, contact your local sheriff department, high school advising center or college financial aid office.

Officers of the year 2009

2010-03-03T17:54:55-06:00

C.O. Rod Wilson, Inv. Matthew Dobler and Bailiff Tammy Walters pose for BND photographer Time Vizer at today's employee awards ceremony.

T. J. Collins

2010-02-23T08:57:55-06:00

T J Collins, 68, of Belleville, Ill., born Feb. 20, 1941, in Money, Miss., departed this life on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at his residence.
Mr. Collins received his elementary and secondary education through the public school systems of Greenwood, Miss. In 1960, after graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant after completing thirty continuous years of faithful service to his country. After retirement he attended Southwestern Illinois College pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

His life's work in law enforcement continued as Boot Camp Director for the City of St. Louis and as Jail Superintendent with St. Clair County until his retirement in 2006.
As a member of the Masonic family he served as past master of P.G. Porter Lodge 142, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., past commander-in-chief of Tyree Consistory 64, and 2nd Lt. Of Orient of Illinois, Council of Deliberation State of Illinois, past potentate of Aahmes Temple 132, AEAONMS, East St. Louis, Ill., past imperial deputy of the Desert of Illinois, past honorary imperial potentate, past eminent commander, Crusaders Military Commandry 38, Knights Templar, past excellent high priest, East St. Louis Holy Royal Arch 20, East St. Louis, Ill., past thrice illustrious master, Ellis T. Moore Council 3, Royal And Select Master East St. Louis, Ill., past patron , Guiding Light Chapter 148, OES, PHA. T J Collins received her 33rd degree, class of 1989. He also served as district deputy grand master, 3rd and 4th districts.
He attended Community Protestant Service, Chapel One, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He was an active member of the community. He was a life member of Veteran of Foreign War and post commander of Melvin Price Memorial Post 11064 in Belleville, Ill.
He was known as a loyal, giving and caring individual. He gave of his time, money and energy. His quiet dignity and grace was admired and respected by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Sallie, nee Filgrim, Collins; and his brother, Percy Collins.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Markeetia Collins, whom he married on May 4, 1968; daughter, Sonja (Michael C.) Fordson of Belleville, Ill.; son, Shan (Theresa) Collins of Belleville, Ill.; six granddaughters, Micah (Terrance Johnson) Fordson of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Iesha and Tyler Fordson of Belleville, Ill., Ashley and Jade Collins of Belleville, Ill., and Jala Howard of Belleville, Ill.; sister-in-law, Mattie Collins of Greenwood, Miss.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Our love for him is deep and everlasting. He will be greatly missed. Those who are left behind will be forever strong in the knowledge of having been blessed by the light of his presence.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, at Hope Church, 200 Dapron Drive, Belleville, Ill., There will be a VFW walk through from 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the church. Per his request, there will be no Masonic Service.
Funeral: Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Hope Church in Belleville, Ill., with the Rev. Daryl Rice officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.
M. E. OFFICER
FUNERAL HOME,
Belleville, Ill.

Published in Belleville News-Democrat from February 23 to February 24, 2010

Former St. Clair County Jail superintendent dies

2010-02-21T09:38:02-06:00

BY CAROLYN P. SMITH - News-Democrat

T.J. Collins, a former St. Clair County Jail superintendent, lost his battle with cancer Thursday. He was 68.

Collins, who died two days before his birthday, worked at the jail for several years.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus described Collins as "very disciplined."

"And, he was noted for that toothpick. He always had a toothpick," Justus chuckled.

"He pretty much wore cowboy boots and they were always shined. He encouraged other people to keep their shoes shined and all of the other leather on his uniform," Justus said.

Justus said he knew Collins had prostate cancer but not much else about his medical condition. "He was a very private person," he said.

His wife, Markeetia Collins, said, "he loved to dress."

"He had really good taste. He wore lizard, alligator and ostrich boots, " she said.

Collins would've been 69 on Saturday.

"We were married almost 42 years. He was always fair even though sometimes he was a little grumpy," his wife said.

He also would do anything for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Masons or the Shriners. "He loved his clubs and organizations," Markeetia Collins said.

She said her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 1995 and had surgery in 1996. Collins had been undergoing chemotherapy since 2006.

Before coming to St. Clair County, Collins worked as a contractor for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department where he ran the city jail's boot camp.

Prior to that chapter in his life, Collins was in the Air Force for 30 years and retired as a chief master sergeant.

Capt. Steven Johnson, of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, worked closely with Collins. "As the chief investigator and he the superintendent of the jail, we worked together on a daily basis on many types of things."

"He was always a top notch professional in the way he handled jail issues. He brought military and service knowledge to jail operations. St. Clair County has certainly lost a tremendous asset and a very knowledgeable person," Johnson said.

Collins is survived by two children, Shan Collins and Sonja Collins-Fordson. He also leaves behind six grandaughters.

A visitation for Collins is from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday at Hope Church in Belleville. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hope Church, near Memorial Hospital.

Visitation and Funeral for T.J. Collins

2010-02-19T16:05:05-06:00

Visitation
Hope Church
200 Dapron Drive
Belleville, IL 62226
Monday, February 22, 2010
04:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Funeral
Hope Church
200 Dapron Drive
Belleville, IL 62226
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
11:00 AM

Burial
Jefferson Barracks Cemetery
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
1:30 PM

George Mokriakow: United States Air Force

2010-02-13T09:58:26-06:00

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, M/Sgt. George Mokriakow took the oath of office for the United States Air Force. George has joined the AF Reserves and will be assigned as a Medical Administrator at Scott.

The Oath was administered by Major Eric Johnson. Eric is a member of our Auxiliary Deputy Program.

Matthew Dobler: Deputy of the year

2010-02-13T09:53:09-06:00

Bruce Morrison Deputy of the year

Nominated by Captain Steven Johnson

The Deputy of the Year award is frequently given to outstanding Deputies who not only performed above and beyond in one act but made it their mode of operation throughout the entire year. Inv. Dobler is no exception to this. There are too many cases to talk about each one in which he went above and beyond, personally and professionally, while helping people or solving criminal cases. A snapshot of this is the 234 criminal felony cases he was assigned in 2009. Some detectives may go an entire career without being assigned that many cases to work, especially since they were all felony cases and many with suspects. Inv. Dobler worked very hard to achieve an amazing 52% clearance rate.

The national average for clearing Index One crimes is 21%. Some detectives could simply clear more cases by weeding out the easy ones. Inv. Dobler consistently did not do this and worked every case as far as he could, without worrying about statistics, but instead being more concerned with the victim and justice.

One small example of Inv. Dobler’s abilities is a case where he was called to respond to a rash of vehicle burglaries. Inv. Dobler quickly assessed up the situation and took action. Dep. Justin Biggs was the responding Deputy and also did a great job helping to identify one of the suspects. After lengthy interrogations, Inv. Dobler obtained confessions from three different suspects. In all, three suspects were charged with several felony counts of vehicle burglary, sixteen vehicles burglaries were solved in three different counties and 131 items that were stolen were recovered by Inv. Dobler and returned to the victims.

Inv. Dobler volunteers his time for many more tasks than just being an Investigator. He is an active member and part of the entry team for the Belleville/Sheriff Special Response Team, works with the FBI Cybercrime Taskforce, is in charge of the department’s surveillance equipment and technical aspects, and assists with important equipment maintenance for Investigations, DTU and Street Crimes Unit. He is always the first to volunteer to assist other departments with investigations and interviewing. One wonders how he finds time after all of those tasks and duties to also be a coach for his son’s baseball team and assist his immediate and extended family in many ways. All of the above his does without being asked.

Inv. Matthew Dobler started at this department as an Explorer Scout, Patrol Deputy, Street Crimes Unit and now an Investigator. He has shown excellence in everything he does and is certainly deserving of the V. Bruce Morrison Deputy of the Year Award for 2010.

Rod Wilson: Correctional Officer of the year

2010-02-13T09:47:28-06:00

Bruce Morrison, Correctional Officer of the Year

Nominated by Lt. Regina Ray & A/Sgt. Xavier Blackburn

Correctional Officer Rodney Wilson has never forgotten why he became an Officer of the Law. He is an efficient, professional and dedicated Correctional Officer. His pursuit for justice and his caring attitude has made him a strong leader within the Sheriff’s Department.

Officer Wilson works diligently and efficiently under the strenuous work load mandated in the Correctional Division. During his years of service he has served as a Training Officer in Corrections and as a member of the S.O.R.T team.

Due to his attention to detail he has, on many occasions, discovered drugs and contraband within our jail. His proactive attitude towards his duties has made the jail a safer place for our staff, visitors and detainees.

Officer Wilson volunteers with the Auxiliary Deputy Association where he serves as a Sergeant supervising our Mounted Patrol. He is called upon on to participate in special events, funerals and other public functions. You will never hear Officer Wilson say “NO”, to any assignment or task given to him.

Some might say Officer Wilson is excitable and opinionated about his belief to making our department better. He truly cares about his job, the officers he works with and the citizens of St. Clair County. His never-ending quest to make this department the best that it can be does not stop at the walls and bars of the jail.

Officer Wilson is truly sincere and honorable in every aspect of his professional and personal life. He is a forward thinking Correctional Officer and is always trying to come up with new and better ways to do things.

Correctional Officer Rodney Wilson has justly earned the Bruce Morrison, Correctional Officer of the Year award for 2009.