A former deputy with the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office who has twice sued the county is running for Sheriff.
Evan Schmalshof announced his candidacy for McDonough County Sheriff In a Facebook post this week.
“As a lifelong resident of this community and a dedicated law enforcement professional with 9 years of experience, I believe it's time for a new kind of leadership — one that is rooted in integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving all members of our community with fairness and respect,” Schmalshof wrote in the post.
Schmalshof first started working for the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 as a part-time correctional officer. He became a part-time deputy in 2018 and then a full-time deputy in 2019.
While on duty on the evening of Jan. 27, 2023, Schmalshof was involved in a fatal crash on U.S. Route 67 between Macomb and Industry.
An Illinois State Police investigation of the crash found speeds reached up to 140 miles per hour as Schmalshof pursued James Mellenthin, who was killed in the crash. Schmalshof was then placed on paid administrative leave.
In February 2024, Sheriff Nick Petitgout announced he had relieved Schmalshof of his duties, saying the deputy had been untruthful in his crash report.
In that report, Schmalshof said he planned to deploy spike strips to stop the other driver. But Petitgout said he told a different story during an interrogation later in the year.
“On August 18, 2023, you stated you just put that in the report and that you had no intention of deploying spike strips. By being untruthful, you discredited yourself as a law enforcement officer,” Petitgout wrote in a memo shared with TSPR at the time.
Schmalshof then filed a grievance with the F.O.P. Labor Union.
Following arbitration, the F.O.P. found that Petitgout did not have just cause to fire Schmalshof.
“It is difficult to accept the Employer’s belief that the Grievant was being untruthful between what he wrote in his incident report and what he later said nearly seven months later at his interrogation. His statements can also be read to be more consistent than inconsistent,” reads the F.O.P. arbitration report. “The Grievant said in his report that his intent was to pass the vehicle and put out spike strips, but if not possible, that he was also considering passing the driver to divert him away from town. Admittedly, the Grievant’s later ‘I just put that in the report’ statement is perplexing. However, the Grievant immediately clarified his statement to his interviewer.”
With the grievance upheld, the Sheriff's Office was ordered to immediately reinstate Schmalshof as a full-time sheriff's deputy with back pay, but he has not been reinstated.
Schmalshof filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Petitgout and McDonough County in March 2024. It was dismissed in March of this year. Schmalshof filed a another federal complaint in April of this year, according to court records.
In his campaign announcement, he said if elected, he would prioritize rewriting several key policies to create a safer, more consistent, and more equitable environment.
“Not only for the public we serve but also for the Deputies who serve with dedication and professionalism. My goal is to ensure that every citizen, regardless of background, feels safe, seen, and heard,” he said.
“I also believe the Sheriff's Office must take a more active role in the caretaking functions of our community – going beyond traditional law enforcement to build trust, foster connection, and offer meaningful support. Deputies should be empowered to use their discretion, show empathy, and respond with compassion while still upholding the law. Every interaction is unique, and each one is an opportunity to build a positive relationship with a member of our community.”
The position of McDonough County Sheriff will be up for election in 2026.
Note: This story was updated to include the Sheriff was ordered to reinstate Schmalshof but has not.
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