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The Sheriff's Office has been contacted and is announcing that the 9 year old,  attempt to locate,  juvenile has been found.  In the late afternoon hours yesterday, she was checked by a local law enforcement agency.   

Early this morning Will County Sheriff's detectives took a person of interest into custody regarding the homicide of Patrick Taylor, age 39, of Lockport.  Sheriff's detectives have also seized the red Ford conversion van that was suspected to be involved in the crime.

Yesterday, at 6:35pm, Sheriff's deputies responded to Oak Avenue, west of Brassel Street, in Lockport Township for a shooting that has just occurred.  Deputies began life saving measures on Taylor who had been shot multiple times.  Lockport Township Fire responded and Taylor was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Multiple witnesses reported that Taylor had been walking down the street when a subject driving a red van had shot and killed him.  The Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Investigators worked throughout the night and located a person of interest and the van in Will County.

The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the public for assisting with information related to this murder.  With help from the community, Sheriff's deputies were able to gather pertinent leads in their investigation.  If anyone has further information please contact Detective Chris DeMato at 815-727-8574  ext: 4912.   Or to remain anonymous you may submit a tip at: www.willcosheriff.org/enforcement/submit-a-crime-tip.  

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The Will County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the death of two men who were involved in a motorcycle crash on Saturday, August 28, around 11:40pm.  Initial investigation indicates that Jake Murdock, age 23, of Manhattan, was driving a 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Wilmington-Peotone Road (between Center and 88^th Avenue) when he struck a pedestrian, Ethan Ullrich, age 26, of Manteno.  The motorcycle continued westbound, striking a mailbox on the north side of the roadway. Ullrich succumbed to his injuries at the scene.  Murdock was also deceased and located in the roadway when deputies arrived.

 The Sheriff’s Traffic Division Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation.  It is unknown at this time if Murdock was still on the motorcycle when it struck the mailbox. It is also unknown if Murdock was initially still alive or deceased while he was laying in the roadway.  When deputies arrived on the scene and began their investigation, it was learned that prior to deputy’s arrival, the driver of an SUV had been traveling eastbound on Wilmington-Peotone Road when she struck Murdock with her vehicle.  Murdock was dragged several feet before being disengaged from the vehicle.   The SUV continued, with the driver believing she had struck an animal, and then her vehicle became disabled near I-57 and Sauk Trail.  The driver contacted a family member for assistance who arrived back to the scene to speak with deputies.

 Illinois State Police and Sheriff’s deputies spoke to the driver of the SUV and interviewed her.  At this time, no charges have been filed on the SUV driver and no signs of alcohol-use were determined during questioning.    Her vehicle was towed to the Sheriff’s Office where Traffic Investigators are conducting a thorough investigation into the time, details, and occurrences of this tragic accident. It should be noted that this roadway is a two-lane, rural road, with no streetlights in the area. 

The Will County Coroner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy today.  Manner and cause of death will be determined pending the completion of the reconstruction investigation and toxicology reports.   –end- kh

Will County Sheriff’ Mike Kelley is sadly announcing the passing of Lieutenant Steve Egan.  Lt. Egan was a 32-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and lost his life Friday, August 6^th, in a tragic motorcycle accident in Iowa while on vacation.  

Steve began his law enforcement career in 1973 with the City of Joliet Police where he served until December of 1984.  He was hired at the Sheriff’s Office in 1989 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1997.  In October of 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and held the position of Watch Commander in the Patrol Division.  

 Over the years, Steve proved his unwavering dedication to the department, truly enjoyed his job, and was a wealth of information.  He mentored many new deputies, was an outstanding supervisor, and was supportive of those who worked for him.

 With Steve’s big personality and selfless nature, Steve leaves behind numerous friends at the Sheriff’s Office.  The news of his sudden death has shaken the department.

 Lt. Steve Egan will be missed.   Steve was 68 years old.