WCSO Press Releases

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley and the Will County Sheriff’s Office are pleased to announce that they have established a partnership with United Way of Will County. By partnering with United Way, and being under the umbrella of their tax exempt status, the Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Foundation will now be able to raise supporting funds for extra programs that fall outside of the general budget. One hundred percent of the funds donated will go directly to the Will County Sheriff Public Safety Foundation to support public safety initiatives, which will allow the Sheriff’s Office to better serve the residents of Will County.

A general donation can now be made to the foundation through credit card or checks.

To donate by check: make payable to United Way of Will County and in the memo section write Will County Public Safety Foundation.

To donate by credit card: visit www.uwwill.org/DonateNow.aspx.  In the comment section write Will County Public Safety Foundation.

If you wish your donation to be directed to a more specific public safety program, please feel free to specify on your donation one of the following programs:

1)         Canine Operations and Care

2)         Elderly Services (TRIAD, Senior fingerprinting)

3)         Public Safety (AED’s, training, etc.)

4)         Youth Services (Shop with a Cop, Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer, Child Fingerprinting)

5)         Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (Education, Forums, Community Events, etc.)

The Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind residents that the Will County Sheriff’s Office never solicits funds over the phone or through the mail.  This initiative will be handled solely through person-to-person donations.   -end-

The Will County Sheriff's Office has once again joining the Illinois Department of Transportation to stop drunk and drug-impaired drivers and to help save lives.  The end of summer is traditionally marked by the Labor Day holiday, often celebrated through picnics, pool parties, and other gatherings.  Sadly, the Labor Day holiday also can be one of the deadliest because of motor vehicle crashes related to drinking and driving.

The high-visibility enforcement campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" runs from August 21st through the holiday, Sept. 4th. During this period, law enforcement across the state will show zero tolerance for impaired driving.  Officers also will be looking for seat belt law violators. 

"Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a massive problem in Illinois with more than 300 people dying annually," said Traffic Division Sgt. Kyle Lakomiak.  "Alcohol or drug impaired driving is not acceptable behavior.  It is essential to plan a sober ride home before you go out.  We make zero exceptions for impaired driving.  There are no excuses."

The Sheriff's Office recommends these safe alternatives to driving while impaired:

-Designate a sober driver before you go out.

-Plan to use public transportation or call a cab or Uber.

-If you see a drunk driver on the roadway, contact your local police or the Will County Sheriff's Office.

-Be aware of your friends who may want to drink and drive.  Take the keys away and help them get home safely.

The 2017 Labor Day "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign is funded by federal highway safety funds from NHTSA and managed through IDOT.   -end-

    The Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (WCSAPC) will present a Parent & Youth Forum on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Joliet West High School Auditorium located at 401 N. Larkin Ave. in Joliet. The event is free and open to the public.  (See attached flyer)

   This family-focused forum will feature an all-star lineup, moderated by Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley, to offer an informative discussion for parents and youth regarding the dangers of alcohol and all drugs.

   Featured speakers will include:

            • Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers

            • Roger Powell Jr., Associate Head Coach at Vanderbilt University

            • Evan Turner, Portland Trail Blazers

            *Doug Collins, TV Analyst & former Head Coach of Chicago Bulls

            • Cameron Payne and Michael Carter-Williams, Chicago Bulls

            • James Glasgow, Will County State’s Attorney

            • Dianna Feeney, Director of Clinical Services at TASC

            • Pastor Jolinda Wade, New Creation B.A.L.M. Church and mother of Dwayne Wade

   The vision of the WCSAPC is to educate youth on how to stay drug and alcohol free; to educate parents on how to keep their youth drug and alcohol free; to work in conjunction with the community to create an environment where substance abuse is no longer the norm or an accepted behavior; to provide options and alternative activities that promote healthy lifestyle decisions; and to educate youth on quality of life issues pertaining to substance abuse and alcohol awareness. 

   This event will be broadcast live on WJOL (1340AM radio) by newscaster Kevin Kollins.  If you can’t make the event, tune in between 3pm and 6pm.  Kevin will be interviewing the Sheriff and several of the All-Star guest speakers! 

   If you have questions or concerns, please contact Will County Sheriff’s Office Prevention Coordinator, Cherry Powell, at 815 724 1878 or email her at:   wcsapc2017@gmail.com

Keep in touch with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition:

Visit their website at:  www.willcountycoalition.com

 Follow them on Facebook:   www.facebook.com/willcountycoalition2017

-end-

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the unveiling of the “Hidden In Plain Sight” trailer that made its debut in June at a Beecher Heroin Abuse Community event.   The trailer is designed to recreate a teenager’s bedroom in order to educate parents of the many potential places that their teen might hide alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.  The overall goal of the trailer is to teach parents how to spot inconspicuous hiding places and to assist parents with recognizing behavioral warning signs, where to seek support, and where to get help. 

Sheriff Mike Kelley stated, “It is a known fact that early intervention is the key to prevention.  It is imperative that we, as parents, be vigilant and aware of what is going on with our teens and to be pro-active in guiding them down the right path in life.  This trailer is a wonderful tool for our parents and our community.”

The Hidden In Plain Sight trailer was repurposed from the Sheriff’s Office after being previously used for other projects.  The inside was created with the help of Habitat for Humanity, who supplied the bedroom furniture.   Private citizens and Sheriff’s Office employees graciously donated various items to complete the bedroom atmosphere.

Since its debut, the Sheriff’s Office has been out in the community with the trailer at various events.  This weekend it is stationed at the Will County Fair.  On September 5^th, the trailer will be at Joliet West High School, 401 N. Larkin Avenue in Joliet from 4pm to 7pm.  That evening the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will be presenting A Parent and Youth Forum. It’s open to the public and it’s free.

What a better way to expand your event than having the Hidden In Plain Sight trailer there! Whether it be for a town festival, parent organization meeting, or any other event where parents/guardians are gathered, contact us and we will be happy to accommodate you.  To request the trailer please visit www.willcosheriff.org and submit a request.   –end-

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JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley announce the charging and arrest of Sean Woulfe, 25, of Beecher, (formerly of Manteno) on charges of Reckless Homicide in connection with the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Lindsey Schmidt and her children, Kaleb, Owen, and Weston on July 24, 2017.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office presented its case to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for review and charging.

Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt today signed a warrant for Woulfe’s arrest on 16 counts of Reckless Homicide. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Woulfe at his residence without incident this morning.

Woulfe was the driver of a 2002 Chevy S10 and was traveling eastbound on Corning Road in Beecher when he is alleged to have failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection at Yates Avenue. His car struck a 2014 Subaru Outback that Lindsey Schmidt was driving with her children.

The charges, filed today under multiple theories of the Reckless Homicide statute, allege Woulfe was speeding in excess of 20 mph over the 55 mph limit, that he disobeyed a stop sign, and that his reckless acts caused the deaths of Lindsey Schmidt and her three children. Two of the counts allege that he caused the death of Lindsey Schmidt’s unborn child.

All of the Reckless Homicide charges are Class 3 Felonies. Several counts make the defendant eligible for an extended term of up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted. 

Woulfe is currently being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.  The judge set his bond on the arrest warrant at $1 million. The defendant must post 10 percent, or $100,000, to secure his release while awaiting trial.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial during which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Will County Sheriff's Office is confirming that six year old, Owen Schmidt, succumbed to his injuries from the accident that occurred on July 24th in Beecher.  The Sheriff's Office was advised by the Cook County Medical Examiner that Owen passed away today at 2:39am.

The Sheriff's Office extends our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Schmidt family.