As the new year begins, many people will resolve to exercise more and lose weight. But most of those people will give up the resolution almost as quickly as they make it. Wabash General Hospital registered dietician Laura Luecke says taking things slowly is the key to long term success…
Luecke says something as simple as switching from regular soda to diet can save hundreds of calories every day.
The Family of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley mourns the loss of their husband, father, son and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement or the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support.
To the public, he became a hero on December 29th, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero.
Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived life to the fullest, he loved his family and friends deeply, and he died doing what he loved. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” -Matthew 5:9
Visitation for Sean Riley will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m., Monday January 3, 2022, at the Fairfield Community High School Gymnasium, with a first responder walk thru at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at the Fairfield Community High School Gymnasium, with law enforcement procession and burial to follow at Cisne Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in his honor may be made to the Sean Riley Benefit Fund at the Trust Bank in Cisne. Memorials will be accepted at the services and the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, IL which is assisting with arrangements.
Additional information will be released in the coming days. We ask the community to show their support by lining the procession route.
BRADLEY, IL – On Dec. 31, 2021, at approximately 4 p.m., Xandria A. Harris, 26-year-old female of Bradley, Illinois, accompanied by her attorney, turned herself in at the Bradley Police Department and was taken into custody by the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 3 Investigators.
The ISP would like to extend our appreciation to all the assisting agencies including, but not limited to the United States Marshalls Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force, Bradley Police Department, Kankakee County Sheriffs Department, Kankakee City Police Department, Indiana State Police, and numerous other municipal and county agencies in Illinois and Indiana, who assisted in apprehending Darius D. Sullivan and Xandria A. Harris.
Harris will remain in custody and will be held at the Jerome D. Combs Adult Detention Facility in Kankakee. Arrangements are being made for Sullivan to be extradited from Indiana to Kankakee County at this time.
“In a multi-jurisdictional effort, two alleged cop killers have been taken into custody today and will now face justice,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Law Enforcement family and the community lost a devoted officer, and another continues to fight for his life. The ISP will continue to offer our prayers and support to the Bradley Police Department during this difficult time.” concluded Kelly.
Earlier Release:
Bradley, IL – On Dec. 31, 2021, at approximately 9 a.m., the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 3 officials confirm Darius D. Sullivan is in police custody. Arrangements are being made to transport Sullivan back to Kankakee County at this time.
ISP DCI Zone 3 is continuing to follow-up on all leads. ISP encourages the public to continue to contact us with any information on the whereabouts of Xandria A. Harris, 26-year-old female of Bradley, IL, or any information regarding this incident. You can call the ISP at 815-698-2672 or Crime Stoppers at 815-93-CRIME. Callers can remain anonymous. To protect the integrity of the open and ongoing investigation, there is no further information available.
Darius D. Sullivan
Xandria A. Harris, 26-year-old female
On 12/25/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Mark P. Risley, age 41, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 400 block of West 4th Street. Upon arrival, officers began to investigate the incident. During this time, Risley shoved a family member down in front of an officer. Risley was placed under arrest at this time and later transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with Domestic Battery and held pending a bond setting by a judge. The Mt. Carmel Police Department was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
On 12/29/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested James C. Reed, age 75, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol following a public complaint regarding Reed’s possible impairment. An officer located the suspect vehicle when a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code was observed. A traffic stop was conducted in the 1200 block of N Walnut Street upon which the officer found signs to indicate impairment on Reed. Following further investigation, Reed was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI and later released to the jail for processing.
On 12/29/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jerry C. Tice, age 71, of Patoka, Indiana, on charges of Burglary, Theft, and Possession of Burglary Tools. The arrest was a result of an investigation into the theft of copper wire from the Mt. Carmel Public Utility yard the day prior. MCPD officers conducted overnight surveillance in the area which resulted in Tice’s apprehension. Tice is being held pending a bond setting by a judge. As the investigation unfolds, more arrests are expected.
On 12/29/21, Heath T. Winebarger, age 32, of Grayville, was arrested by Grayville Police on a Wabash County Warrant for Forgery. This warrant stemmed from a Mt. Carmel Police Department investigation into Winebarger’s alleged unlawful use of a credit card belonging to his ex-employer. Winebarger was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he faces 11 counts of Forgery and is being held on a $3000 cash bond.
Carlyle, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 is investigating an officer involved death (OID) involving a deputy from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
On Dec. 29, 2021 at approximately 5:00 a.m., ISP DCI Zone 8 was requested to assist with an officer involved shooting. Preliminary reports indicate that Deputy Sean Riley of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a motorist assist on Interstate 64 eastbound at Milepost 115. A short time later another responding officer located Deputy Riley deceased on scene. The Deputy’s squad car was missing and then located abandoned a short time later just east of the scene.
It is believed that the suspect, Ray Tate, a 40-year-old male from Hopkinsville, KY carjacked a truck tractor semi-trailer near the area Deputy Riley’s squad car was located. The driver of the truck tractor semi-trailer was held against his will and drove Tate to a gas station in St Peter’s, Missouri. While in Missouri, a series of carjackings, robberies and shootings occurred. Tate then traveled back into Illinois with a kidnapped victim in another stolen vehicle. That stolen vehicle was located at a residence in rural Carlyle. Tate committed a home invasion and took the homeowner and the kidnapped victim hostage at a residence in rural Clinton County. At approximately 1:42 p.m. ISP Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) operators were able to make entry into the residence and took the suspect into custody without incident. The homeowner and kidnapped victim were located in the residence uninjured. Tate was then transported to the Clinton County Jail where he is being charged with First Degree Murder by the Wayne County State’s Attorney.
“On behalf of the Illinois State Police, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley’s family, friends, and brothers and sisters at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Once again, the Illinois State Police has safely apprehended an alleged cop killer with exceptional professionalism, patience and persistence standing side by side with all Illinois law enforcement through another dark and difficult moment. Mercifully, this incident was concluded with no further harm to first responders, and this defendant will now face justice,” concluded Kelly.
The Illinois State Police was assisted by multiple agencies in southern Illinois and eastern Missouri that worked together to bring this fugitive to justice.
From Wayne County Sheriff’s Department:
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is devastated to report that on December 29,2021, at approximately 5:00am, Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley responded to a motorist assist in Interstate 64. When another officer arrived on scene, Deputy Riley was discovered deceased at this location. The Deputy’s squad car was missing from the scene and then located abandoned on Interstate 64. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our loved Deputy Sean Riley.
This is an on going and evolving investigation, no additional information will be released at this time, but it is believed that the suspect has departed the immediate area. For more information, please contact the Illinois State Police at 217-524-2500.
From St. Peters, MO Police Department:
UPDATE #3 O'Fallon Missouri Police Department retrieved surveillance video gained access another vehicle, described as a white Nissan Titan Missouri plate of 0WE A43.
UPDATE #2 The victim's vehicle has been located in O'Fallon, unoccupied.
UPDATE #1 - Suspect is described as a white male, last seen wearing a light gray hoodie, backpack, and black shoes (possible Under Armor shoes). He should be considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS. See attached pictures.
Active Scene/Investigation at QuikTrip, 391 Main Street:
This morning a male subject carjacked a victim at QuikTrip, shooting the victim in the process, and then fled the area. The victim was transported to hospital in stable condition with non life threatening injuries. It is believed this is a continuation of events which occurred in Illinois this morning.
Our officers and detectives are actively investigating the incident and we will have more information as it comes.
Please avoid the area for the time being.
Photos Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/stpetersmopd
Photos Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/stpetersmopd
Photos Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/stpetersmopd
Recent legislation signed into law by Governor J. B. Pritzker will send local establishments with video gaming machines back to their checkbooks. In the past, the city charged a $25 per machine fee for video gambling. But, Pritzker’s signature increased that fee to $250 per machine…all of which will stay in the city’s general fund. Since the legislation was signed so late in the year, the city had already billed local establishments at the $25 per machine rate. So now, new bills for the additional $225 per machine will be sent. Judge said the fee increase is one of 122 new laws that will go into effect next year in Illinois.