For tips to the detectives, E-Mail detectives@boonecountysheriff.com
or Call CrimeStoppers at 815-547-7867.
**Please NOTE: Tips eligible for Crimestopper Rewards can ONLY be taken on the Crimestopper phone. E-Mail tips are always appreciated, but cannot be used for Crimestopper compensation.
The Boone County Sheriff
Sheriff Duane Wirth is the chief law enforcement officer in Boone County. As Sheriff of Boone County, Sheriff Wirth is responsible for the operation of the largest law enforcement agency in the Boone County. The most fundamental function of this department is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Boone County. The Sheriff is charged with the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of enforcing federal and state laws, as well as local county ordinances within the unincorporated areas of the county. Although the sheriff may enforce laws within the entire county, by professional courtesy and policy, he does not do so within individual municipalities, villages, or towns which have their own respective law enforcement agency, unless he is requested by federal or state authorities, or the authorities of any such community.The position of Sheriff is an elected office, with a four year term.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department is housed in Public Safety Building in Belvidere, a facility they share with the Belvidere Police Department. This combined facility allows each department complete autonomy and independence to operate, yet allows for the inter-governmental and inter-departmental cooperation and assistance that is the hallmark of Boone County. This cooperation has proved itself time and again as a great benefit to the taxpayers of Belvidere and Boone County in cost savings and rapid response capabilities.
is adjacent to the Public Safety Building, and is under the authority and supervision of the Boone County Sheriff. The Boone County Jail provides for the custody of individuals awaiting trial, serving sentences up to one year, or sentenced to periodic imprisonment.
Upon a county-wide supported referendum in 1999, the existing jail was expanded from 48 beds to now hold 150 prisoners. It is a "Direct Supervision" facility with state of the art computerized control and inmate management and observation capabilities, expanded visitation and attorney rooms, kitchen, laundry, work-release dormitory, and women's housing. This $9.3 million expansion was completed in early 2003, and will soon be housing federal prisoners as well which allows the County to assist federal prosecutors to house federal prisoners in close proximity to the Federal Court in Rockford, and also maximize the use of the Boone County facility.
CrimeStoppers is a not-for-profit organization consisting of a
volunteer board and a Coordinator, which is usually a Police
Officer. It operates from the idea that for just about every
crime committed, someone other than the offender knew
about it or might have seen or overheard something suspicious.
It might be you.
CrimeStoppers is a nonprofit organization, funded entirely
with Fund Raisers and donations from citizens and civic
organizations. Contributions are TAX DEDUCTIBLE
All money raised is used to cover the payment of cash
rewards which can vary from $50 to $1,000 depending on the
seriousness of the crime and the relevance of the tip to the
crime.
The use of a cash reward is offered to motivate citizens who
have information...and anonymity is preserved to overcome
any fear of involvement in a criminal case.
How It Works
If any citizen has information on a crime - they call the special CrimeStoppers phone number - 815-547-7867 or 815-547-STOP.
The CrimeStoppers staff logs the call with the date, time
and brief summary of the caller's information.
For any citizen with information on a crime, CrimeStoppers
offers:
A cash reward on tips that lead to an arrest
Complete protection of the caller's anonymity
To assure anonymity, the caller is given a secret code
number for any future communication, and is asked to maintain
contact with CrimeStoppers.
The tip information is given to the proper law enforcement
agency for investigation. If investigation by law enforcement results in the arrest and filing of criminal charges against a felony crime offender or the
apprehension of a felony fugitive, law enforcement informs CrimeStoppers. When the informant calls back to CrimeStoppers to check their secret
code number, CrimeStoppers makes arrangements to pay the cash reward.
Support from television, radio stations and the newspapers is
the critical link to citizen involvement. The "Crime of the Week"
report is filmed at the actual scene of the crime and reported
by the CrimeStoppers Coordinator.
The "Crime of the Week" report increases public interest in
CrimeStoppers and helps locate witnesses who have
information leading to a solution to the crime. All production
expenses and airtime costs are donated by the cooperating
media as a public service.
Call Crime Stoppers at 815-547-7867 or 815-547-STOP
and Receive a Reward of up to $1,000.00