At 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, July 20, 2017, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kris S. Schmidt, 45, of Morrison, IL, became the fourth candidate to enter the race for office of Whiteside County Sheriff. With the covered bridge as a backdrop and a crowd of supporters in place, at the intersection of Crosby and Norrish Roads in Morrison, Schmidt announced his intention to run.
His wife, Sterling Police Department Detective Sergeant Sarah Schmidt, offered the first endorsement to the Editor. She said Kris began thinking about the position “last spring; he thought about this for a year,” taking into account his large family. “I thought it would be a fantastic idea, because he has [strong] leadership abilities. He’s a ‘people person’, and communication is such a big part of leadership. Kris is remarkable in the things he has done in his short 45 years!”
Sergent Schmidt recounted a life-changing incident of Sunday, July 20, 1986. “I was 14 years old, moving from Junior High to the High School.” The family was at his grandparents’ home finishing preparations for dinner. “My dad and uncle rode motorcycles on Sunday mornings. A neighbor stopped at the house, saying there had been a bad accident. He saw my uncle standing there but had no other information. My mom, cousin, and I drove two miles to the scene where my dad had been killed.” Schmidt remembers calmly and politely asking the officer to explain what happened. He also remembers being ignored.
“That was when I learned to have compassion for the job and the people we serve.” Because of that devastating experience, “I bring the human element to the badge.”
The cause of his father’s death was a pothole in the road. However, “The patrolman’s report stated, ‘No defect in the roadway.'” The boy had seen the pothole, but it was filled in later that day. “The officer didn’t do his job.”
“That was when I learned to always keep your integrity. Once you lose it, you never get it back.”
A related goal for Sergeant Schmidt as he campaigns is “to meet with people and find out what they are looking for. What do the citizens want to see from the Sheriff’s Department?” He intends to be proactive with property crimes and scams, particularly against elderly residents. Currently, when he sees a garage door left open or an unlocked vehicle, Schmidt leaves a form to encourage prevention of theft.
“I vow to be the best Sheriff I can. My goal is to instill my values and beliefs to capitalize on the Sheriff’s Department. I will work…with honesty and integrity to move forward.”
His resume includes a BS degree with distinction and significant trainings of other officers. “I have 26 years of cumulative experience,” he noted. “I am a valuable resource for other officers and the public.”
- From 1990-1992, he was stationed in Iceland with the Security Police, while in the United States Air Force. Schmidt was the first and youngest airman to be a Central Security Control dispatcher.
- He did Security Police duties from 1992-1995 and became a certified D.A.R.E. teacher, while on a Missouri Air Force base.
- From 1996-2001, he worked as a Patrolman for the DeWitt, IA, Police Department and was the School Resource Officer. Schmidt was promoted to Sergeant.
- He joined the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department in 2001 as a Patrol Deputy.
- He taught DUI classes for Patrol Officers to deal with intoxicated drivers.
- He was an instructor in taser use.
- At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Police Training Institute, he instructed new recruits.
- Schmidt has trained every Whiteside County Road Deputy currently on the road, except one. He “missed” that person due to a work-related injury.
The family is shown left-to-right after the announcement: Graycn Schmidt, 15; Jaicee Schmidt, 14; Sergeant Schmidt; Detective Sergeant Sarah Schmidt; Wade Hackbarth, 16; Madelyn Hackbarth, 14; Elizabeth Schmidt, 18. Daughter Jordan Schmidt, 19, was absent.
Current and future candidates will solicit signatures on petitions beginning Tuesday, September 5, to support their candidacy. They must be submitted to the County Clerk between Monday, November 27, and Monday, December 4.
The slate of Republican candidates will be reduced to one, during the Tuesday, March 20, 2018, Primary Election. The recipient of most votes will compete against the one Democratic candidate–so far–in the Tuesday, November 6, 2018, General Election.
Each candidate for Sheriff has an internet presence.
Republicans
Former Rock Falls Police Officer Tim Fisher, 46 of Rock Falls, IL, announced Wednesday, June 28, that he will run. Visit Tim Fisher to follow his campaign.
Whiteside County Deputy Mike Lewis, 46, of Rock Falls announced his intention to run Friday, June 9, on his Mike Lewis for Sheriff Facebook page.
Whiteside County Sergeant Kris Schmidt‘s website is www.schmidtforsheriff.org.
Democrat
Whiteside County Lieutenant John Booker, 50, announced his intention on Tuesday, May 16. His Facebook page is Booker for Sheriff.
