On Monday, December 5, 2022, at around 6:00 a.m., Whiteside County Deputies responded, along with Rock Falls Police, to a residence on Walnut Street, in rural Rock Falls, IL, in reference to a Wanted Subject being inside the residence armed with a handgun. This was following a reported alleged Domestic incident, which took place in the City limits of Rock Falls.
The male subject who was involved in the Domestic incident was inside the residence on Walnut Street and possibly was armed with a handgun in an upstairs bedroom. Deputies and Officers were outside the residence attempting to negotiate by cell phone with the subject, identified as Dayton James Hicks, 27 years old of Sterling, IL, who is wanted on a Whiteside County Felony Warrant.
With minimal progress being made with Hicks, the wanted subject, tactics were changed by Police, after removing a small child and after an adult was safely removed from the residence. This allowed Police to gain access and secure the first floor. They continued talks with Hicks, who was barricaded in an upstairs bedroom, by a Whiteside County Negotiator.
After several hours, Hicks and a female subject surrendered without incident to Police. Hicks was taken into custody at 10:25 a.m., on a Whiteside Warrant for Unlawful Use/Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Hicks was transported to Whiteside County Jail; bond was set at $150,000.
Following the arrest of Hicks, a search was conducted, which resulted in the recovery of a semi- automatic handgun.
Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office were assisted during this incident by Rock Falls Police, Sterling Police, and Illinois State Police.
This Arrest is merely a charge, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.