Sheriff Rick VanBrooker said he will not run for re-election. VanBrooker was first elected in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014. His current term expires November 30, 2018.
“The people here are tremendous. They’re very supportive of the sheriff’s office,” VanBrooker said.
“Overall it’s been a very good time here as sheriff and I feel very honored to be able to serve as sheriff for the people of McDonough County.”
He also praised the cooperation between the various law enforcement agencies in the county. He said they work together seamlessly.
“When it comes time to work together, we just do it. The information is exchanged much better than it used to be, which makes us more efficient,” he said.
VanBrooker said his law enforcement career began 33 years ago. He said he served one year as village marshal in Plymouth, worked for the Carthage Police Department for six years, then moved on to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked until running for McDonough County sheriff.
VanBrooker said he still enjoys the job but is not sure he has the desire to complete another full term.
“33 years in law enforcement is just a long time. And I’m just not sure that I would do a good job for four more years. I feel like I can finish out this term, do a good job, and leave with my head up,” he said.
VanBrooker said he announced his retirement now to give potential successors plenty of time to think about whether they want to run.
