Editor’s note: Albany, IL, Police Chief Wyatt Heyvaert endorsed Republican Candidate Kris Schmidt for Whiteside County Sheriff, on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Kris Schmidt Endorsement
Today I come to you with 17 years of experience within the field of Law Enforcement: seven of those being with the Moline Police Department; two of those years spent working a high-profile undercover position through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Quad Cities Federal Gang Task Force; three years as a Patrolman/Detective with the Colona Police Department; three years as a Patrolman with the Fulton Police Department; three yeas, nine months with my current position as a Police Chief with an agency within Whiteside County.
I have worn many hats in this fine profession: Patrol Officer, Juvenile Officer, Juvenile Detective, Adult Detective, Community Policing Officer, Narcotics Officer, Field Training Officer, Lead Homicide Investigator, and Chief of Police.
After attending the Law Enforcement Academy in 2000, I started with the Fulton Police Department in March of 2001. I met a Deputy from the Whitesde County Sheriff’s Office named Kristopher Schmidt in May, and we have been friends/colleagues ever since.
Kris had just finished a five year run with the De Witt, IA, Police Department, where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in a short amount of time, due to his hard work and dedication.
Kris is a genuine person and, perhaps, the hardest working law Enforcement Officer I have ever met. He is a leader, a man with integrity, and a goal-oriented individual. Kris never stops striving to be a better person and is an amazing family man.
If elected Kris will keep the Sheriff’s Office up-to-date on current crime trends; tackle new obstacles that are presented; address the issue of rising drug usage, addiction, and mental illness, all while having care and compassion toward the citizens of Whiteside County. Kris will change the narrative of Law Enforcement, while working alongside the citizens of the county through education.
I am a member of the Quad Cities Counsel of Chiefs of Police, Northwest Illinois Commanders Association, Illinois Chiefs of Police Association, and the International Chiefs of Police Association.
One of the first lessons I was taught in the Law Enforcement Academy was to surround myself with good/successful people in life. That is why I am officially endorsing Kris Schmidt for Whiteside County Sheriff.
Sincerely,
Wyatt M. Heyvaert, Chief of Police