Whiteside County Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi had a message for the press on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in front of the Law Enforcement Center, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. He addressed them outside, beginning at 9:00 a.m. On hand to support the announcement were, left-to-right, Chief Deputy Andy Henson; Retired Sheriff Roger Schipper; Sheriff Wilhelmi; Sgt. Seth Janssen; Lt. John Booker; Detective Rob Luyando; Detective Dave Molina; Lt. Tim Erickson. Not shown are Rock Falls, IL, Police Sgt. Chad Hermes and 9-1-1 Dispatcher Karl Kovarik.
The Sheriff began, “The reason that I called this press conference is that I have an announcement, concerning the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and the upcoming 2018 elections. I know the election is 18 months away, but it will be here before we know it.”
“I have had the great fortune to serve the citizens of Whiteside County for almost 30 years. I have truly been blessed to have been your Sheriff for nine years.”
“During my first 21 years with the Sheriff’s Office, I worked with two great Sheriffs, Butch Kimmel and Roger Schipper. When I was appointed in 2008, I vowed to continue their legacy and tradition of providing the absolute best in law enforcement to our citizens. I have tried my best to serve all of you, with the utmost honor and integrity.”
“I am here this morning to announce that I will not be seeking re-election as your Sheriff. I will be retiring at the end of this term. I am also here…to endorse Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Booker as your next Sheriff.”
As all of you well know, John was my opponent in the 2010 election. That election was quite contentious and created a divide between both sides. John and I put all of that behind us a long time ago, and I am asking all of you today to do the same. John is now the cornerstone, the ‘go-to guy.’ He is the only one I know that is the right man for the job.”
“The 2018 election for Sheriff shouldn’t be about who is a Republican or Democrat. It is about who is the best person for being your next Sheriff. I am asking all of you that have supported me during my time as Sheriff, and all of you that supported John in 2010, to vote for John Booker as your next Sheriff in 2018.”
It was Lt. Booker’s turn to address the group. He began, “Thank you for coming here today. It is humbling to have my family, friends, and local law enforcement officers here with me.”
“It is an honor to stand here with Retired Whiteside County Sheriff Roger Schipper, current Whiteside County Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi, Chief Deputy Andy Henson, and Lieutenant Tim Erickson…with me today.”
“Each of you knows politics has no place behind the wheel of a patrol car. You may remember several years ago, I ran against Sheriff Wilhelmi in the Sheriff’s election of 2010. Since that election, Sheriff Wilhelmi and I put the election behind us, because we knew the County needed us working together for citizens….I must say, we have worked great together!”
“…Today I announce I am running to be the next Sheriff of Whiteside County.”
“In March of 1998, I was hired by Retired Sheriff Schipper as a Patrol Deputy. I have worked up…the ranks as Patrol Sergeant, Detective, and currently…Lieutenant of Service Division. Besides these positions, I am the Whiteside County SWAT Commander. In addition, as serving as a Deputy Sheriff, I have been a Police Officer in Rock Falls, Prophetstown, Erie, Morrison, and Tampico[, IL].”
“Having been a Police Officer for 26 years, with 20 years at the Sheriff’s Department, the most rewarding thing has not been Officer of the Year, Deputy of the Year, or even Top Cop. The most rewarding thing has been the working relationship Sheriff Wilhelmi and I have had over the last seven years, after the election of 2010. As I mentioned earlier, politics has no place behind the wheel of a patrol car. Both Sheriff Wilhelmi and Retired Sheriff Schipper are Republicans, and I am a Democrat. However, what political party we [belong to] has no effect on our daily work at the Sheriff’s Department. We have been here, working hand-in-hand to serve the citizens of Whiteside County.”
“Sheriff Wilhelmi, former Sheriff Schipper, Chief Deputy Henson, and Lieutenant Erickson are here with me today, because they believe in me….I have shown…them I have what it takes to be the next Sheriff of Whiteside County. I will continue the tradition at the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department, as a hard-working Sheriff. I will also keep the tradition of working together, with all the Police Departments, Fire Departments, and Ambulance Departments throughout Whiteside County.”
“As your Sheriff, I will continue with the Safe Halloween program set up by Sheriff Wilhelmi, which helps monitor sex offenders. I will continue the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department Fishing Derby, which brings great partnership with the Sheriff’s Department and the youth of Whiteside County.”
“So, today I am announcing I am running for Sheriff of Whiteside County. For the next year I will continue working as the Lieutenant; however, I will spend more time with Sheriff Wilhelmi doing budget things and learning the position of Sheriff.” I would welcome the chance to meet with anyone or any group of people, to discuss my goals as Sheriff….”
“Finally, I want to say thank you, again, to the ones standing here with me. We have proven our dedication to the citizens of Whiteside County, by working together and never letting politics interfere with the Sheriff’s Department functions….”
Lt. Booker is shown with his daughter, Caylyn Booker, and fiancee, Bobi Jo Majeski.