WCSO Press Releases

The Will County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a school bus accident today at 10:57am to Gougar Road, just north of Shady Lane, Lockport Township.  Homer Township Fire personnel was on the scene along with the principal, three teachers, and 23 students from Oak Prairie Junior High which is located just down the road on Gougar.   The driver of the First Student Bus stated that he had just left the school after picking up the 7th and 8th grade students and was traveling southbound when he momentarily took his eyes off the road.  He then swerved into a guard rail and went off the roadway about 30 feet into a wooded area.  The driver and students were standing outside the bus when deputies arrived. 

Four students complained of minor shoulder pain; one was transported to Silver Cross Hospital and the other three were released by emergency personnel to the principal.  Once it was determined that there were no other injuries First Student Bus Company sent another bus and the students were then transported home.    Oak Prairie Jr. High students were being transported home from an early release day at the school.   

No citations were issued.

-end-  

Over the Labor Day Holiday, the Will County Sheriff's Office joined forces with other law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners throughout the state in the IL Labor Day  "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

During the campaign, the Sheriff's Office issued a dozen warning tickets and a total of 116 citations.  Citations included violations such as speeding, illegal cell phone usage, seat belt violations, non-insurance, suspended/revoked license, moving and non-moving violations, signal and sign violations and illegal transportation of alcohol.  

One felony arrest and two DUI arrests were made during the crackdown.  "Law enforcement officers have one of the toughest jobs in the country.  Day and night, 24/7, they work tirelessly to protect citizens, seeing our fair share of troubling and devastating scenes," said Sgt. Vince Gambino of the Sheriff's Traffic Unit. "Drunk driving crashes are all too familiar."

Nationally in 2014, there were 9,967 people killed in drunk driving crashes, making up nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities that year.  In fact, on average, more than 10,000 people died each year from 2010 to 2014 in DUI crashes. 

"As traffic safety partners,  we do our best to make sure drivers and roads are safe.  Yet there is still so much for us to do." Gambino said. 

This campaign was made possible by federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation.     -end-

For Information Contact:

Sgt. Vince Gambino

Traffic Supervisor

815-727-3263

Will County – This Labor Day, families and friends will be celebrating the end of the summer. Sadly, this festive time is also a dangerous time on our roads, as many alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers get behind the wheel after celebrating. For this reason, the Will County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to stop drunk drivers and help save lives. 

The high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 5. During this period, law enforcement across Illinois will show zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat belt law violators. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, coupled with roadside safety checks and increased officers on the road, aim to reduce impaired driving in Will County and Illinois.

“We need people to understand that impaired driving is a deadly crime,” said Sgt. Vince Gambino.  “Impaired driving is a massive problem in the United States, with more than 10,000 people dying annually. There are people who like to pretend that certain laws don’t apply to them, but to be clear: In every state, for every person, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher.”

During the crackdown period, there will be a special emphasis on impaired driving enforcement. Local drivers should expect to see more patrol vehicles and increased messaging about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving. 

“This is an unacceptable problem. Impaired driving is selfish and dangerous. We want to increase awareness with this campaign, but also see lasting results of decreased impaired driving,”Gambino said. “Please, please: plan ahead before you go out. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, do not drink and drive.” 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made it even easier to get home safely when you’ve been drinking, with the free SaferRide mobile app, available through iTunes and Google Play. The app allows you to call pre-selected contacts or a taxi, and also identifies your location so you can be picked up.

This August, and every day, remember: there is never an excuse to drive impaired. If you choose to break the law, the Will County Sheriff’s Department will arrest you – “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

In addition to looking for drunk drivers, the Sheriff’s Department will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are at their lowest.

Sgt. Vince Gambino wants you to know that always designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for drunk driving. Other important tips include:

 Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in a drunk-driving crash. 

 Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.

  Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

 Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.

  Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.

 If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab, sober friend or family member to pick you up, or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.

 Never let friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk.

 Always buckle up – it is your best defense against a drunk driver. 

The Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown is made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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 3:00pm:  The Will County Sheriff's Office has been notified from Patrick O'Neil, Will County Coroner, that the cause of death regarding this mornings discovery of a burned body is being ruled as a single gunshot wound to the head.  The victim has been identified as a male subject, however his identity remains unknown at this time.  The Coroner is using dental records to positively identify the individual.

This morning, at about midnight, the Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Patterson Road and Brandon Road in Joliet Township regarding a burning vehicle.  East Joliet Fire responded and extinguished the fully engulfed 2016 Dodge Charger.  Fire personnel notified deputies at the scene that they discovered a body in the trunk that was burned beyond recognition. 

This incident is being ruled as an active homicide investigation.  Sheriff's Office detectives are asking the public if they may have seen or heard anything in this area to please contact the Sheriff's Investigation Division at:  815-727-8574.   -end-

On June 24, 2016 Will County Sheriff’s deputies took a report from a concerned parent regarding inappropriate text messages being sent to her 14 year old daughter.  The text messages were being sent over the past few months from Samuel H.  Burks who is a girls basketball coach at Peotone Junior High School.

 Sheriff’s detectives immediately began an investigation and on July 1^st a search warrant was conducted at the home of Samuel H. Burks, age 48, of Mallard Lane in Peotone.  The same day, 7/1/16, a warrant was issued for Burks arrest.  Samuel H. Burks was charged with two counts of child grooming.  He was booked into the Adult Detention Facility at 4pm and posted bond ($100,00; 10% to apply) at 7:15pm.    -end-

A twelve year veteran of the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Kim Heath can forever claim to be the first woman to win the National Patrol Rifle Competition in Detroit, MI. As one of only two other women who entered, Deputy Heath competed against 130 SWAT and patrol officers during her fifth participation in the event. Participants are evaluated on five courses for marksmanship and tactics, all based on a point system.  The courses are tests against time, distance, physical movement, large and small targets, as well as surprise elements.  It is based on ‘performance on demand’.

Regarding the national competition, Heath said that she wasn’t able to practice beforehand so she figured she had no chance at winning.  Going into the event, her goal was to relax and focus on making every round hit. On the topic of winning, she stated, “I am extremely proud of being the first woman ever to win and hope this encourages more female officers to compete.  I compete because I believe it is a very skilled training experience, whether you win or not.”  She added, “There is such a great camaraderie at the competition and everyone supports and encourages each other.  I have never felt discriminated against.” 

Deputy Kim Heath became a Firearms Instructor for the Sheriff’s Office 10 years ago.  When she was issued a patrol rifle 8 years ago she was quite surprised to find that she had a knack for it.  After that, Heath not only attended the open range shooting dates at the Sheriff’s Office, but found herself pursuing practice sessions on her personal time.  Now, as an instructor, she says that not only does her success come from hours of practice, but also through teaching her fellow officers where she is presented with new questions and problems to solve.    

Sheriff Mike Kelley and the entire Sheriff’s Office staff congratulate Deputy Kim Heath on this prestigious accomplishment.  We are honored to have a nationally ranked Firearms Instructor on our staff.   

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