Sangamon County Chairman names nominee for new Sheriff

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Andy Van Meter, the Chairman of the Sangamon County Board, has announced the person he will select as his nominee for Sangamon County Sheriff.

In a press release, Sangamon County officials said Van Meter will nominate Paula Crouch to serve the remainder of Jack Campbell’s term as Sheriff. Crouch is a lifelong Springfield resident with a 24-year award-winning career in law enforcement. She served in the Springfield Police Department from 1999 to 2023, retiring as a Lieutenant, and currently serves as the Deputy of Administration for the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk’s Office.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been chosen to serve as the Sheriff of Sangamon County,” Crouch said in the press release. “My career in law enforcement has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people and tackle complex challenges, and I look forward to bringing those experiences to this role. Protecting the safety and well-being of our citizens will always be my top priority, and I am committed to building on the foundation of the Sheriff’s Office to continue improving public safety in our county.”

Van Meter’s selection of Crouch as his appointee for Sheriff was made following the retirement of Sheriff Campbell on Aug. 31 in the wake of Sonya Massey’s death at the hands of former Deputy Sean Grayson. County Coroner Jim Allmon took over as Interim-Sheriff after that date.

To help select Campbell’s permanent successor, Van Meter formed a review committee to evaluate applications from interested candidates , which totaled 15.

“We were fortunate to have a highly qualified pool of applicants,” said committee chairman Pat Kelley, a former judge. “After careful deliberation, the committee is confident in Paula Crouch’s ability to lead the Sheriff’s Office, and we stand firmly behind her selection.”

The list of candidates was narrowed down to seven finalists , and on Tuesday, Van Meter announced the selection.

“Paula Crouch’s extensive experience and deep roots in our community make her the ideal person to lead the Sheriff’s Office,” Van Meter said. “As a former victim of sexual harassment and a working single mom who overcame financial difficulties, Paula knows what it is like when life knocks you down. She understands that justice is the application of human understanding to the laws designed to protect all of us from the worst of us.”

Van Meter’s nomination of Crouch will be put up for a vote by the full Sangamon County Board at its meeting on Wednesday. If approved, Crouch will begin serving as Sheriff immediately until the expiration of the term in 2026.

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