On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the PADS homeless shelter in Sterling, IL, regarding an unruly subject who refused to exit a Whiteside County Public Transportation (WCPT) bus.
Upon arrival, the subject, identified as 30-year-old Austin Hey of Sterling, had exited the bus. A WCPT employee advised Deputies that nothing physical had occurred, and that the subject was being unruly and needed to leave the area.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., Deputies were again dispatched to the PADS shelter for the same subject, who was reported to be acting strangely. Upon Deputies’ arrival, Hey was no longer causing a disturbance and left the area on foot. He denied any need for assistance.
A short time later, Deputies observed Hey walking near the Wahl Clipper facility while carrying a large rock. A Deputy approached Hey and ordered him to drop the rock and get on the ground. Hey then threw the rock at the Deputy. A TASER was deployed, but was ultimately ineffective, after which, Hey began fighting with Deputies.
Hey was taken into custody and transported by EMS for medical evaluation. He was arrested for Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer.
In accordance with the Illinois SAFE-T Act, this offense is non-detainable, and Hey was issued a Notice to Appear.
Whiteside County Sheriff John F. Booker stated, “Violence against Law Enforcement Officers will not be tolerated. My Ddeputies acted appropriately and professionally in a rapidly-evolving and dangerous situation. While the SAFE-T Act requires that certain offenses result in a Notice to Appear, my Office will continue to take decisive action to protect our Deputies and the public.”
The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Sterling Police Department, CGH EMS, and Sterling Fire Department.