Finalists named for next Sangamon County Sheriff

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Applicant Review Committee that will help select the next Sangamon County Sheriff has announced the finalists for the position.

The committee was formed after Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell retired at the end of August. Community activists and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker had called for his resignation for hiring former Deputy Sean Grayson, who is charged with murdering Sonya Massey.

Officials said 15 people applied for the position, but only seven remain as finalists. Interviews with the candidates begin next week, and they will all undergo a rigorous background check.

The finalists for the next Sangamon County Sheriff are:

• Timothy Becker — Athens Chief of Police and Retired Chief of Staff from the Illinois State Police
• Bryce Benton — Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation, Intelligence Command, Special Agent/Task Force Officer
• Paula Crouch — Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County and Retired Lieutenant from the Springfield Police Department
• Nancy Finley — Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant
• Mike Harth — Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant
• Chris Mueller — Sangamon County Central Dispatch and Executive Director; Retired Lieutenant from the Springfield Police Department
• Bryan Pruitt — Retired from the Illinois State Police, Captain of District 10/Troop 7

The Sangamon County Board will have a quick procedural meeting on Tuesday Sept. 10, with a longer meeting planned on Sept. 18. Along with their typical business, the board could swear in the next Sheriff at that meeting.

“We are truly thankful for the interest and willingness to serve shown by so many candidates. The Sheriff’s Office is crucial to public safety and community trust, and we are confident that from these seven finalists, we will find the best person to lead with integrity and transparency,” Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter and Committee Chairman Judge Pat Kelley said in a joint statement.

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