06/30/2025
Dear Residents of Hancock County,
My name is Jordan Hawes, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Hancock County, Illinois in the 2026 election. As a lifelong resident, I’ve grown up cherishing the values and traditions that define our community. My wife Myranda and I both grew up in Hamilton, where we proudly raise our three young children in a County we have always called home, committed to preserving its legacy for future generations.
Why I’m Running
I’m running to serve as your Sheriff to confront the continued m**hamphetamine and opioid crisis that is directly related to the substance abuse and mental health struggles within our communities. Substance abuse and mental health issues are often contributors to the commission of violent crimes and property related offenses. The commission of these crimes threatens the safety and security of our families, homes, farms, and small businesses.
To address these critical issues, I offer two core strengths: 17 years of dedicated law enforcement experience and an unwavering commitment to serving our County with integrity and purpose. I pledge to lead a Sheriff’s Office that is victim focused, prioritizes transparency with the public, and upholds the highest standards of accountability. I will tirelessly strive to earn and maintain your trust and confidence as Sheriff.
My priorities are:
• Fighting the Methamphetamine Crisis: Targeting m**hamphetamine distribution through increased patrol efforts and developing strong partnerships with our local police departments, state and federal agencies. There is strength in numbers and each of these different agencies provide valuable resources that can make our fight more effective. In addition to enforcement, I will support prevention programs to curb and fight addiction. This includes keeping an open line of communication with our citizens who see these problems every day in their neighborhoods and townships.
• Addressing Mental Health: Collaborating with local mental health providers to connect those struggling with addiction or mental health issues to treatment, reducing crime and supporting recovery, which will lessen the burden on taxpayers over time.
• Reducing Property Crimes: Strengthening enforcement with proactive patrols and promoting crime prevention programs such as Crimestoppers, giving our citizens an accessible and anonymous way of sharing information to help law enforcement solve crime.
• Community Oriented: Ensuring transparency and accountability, having an open-door policy, and a dedicated Sheriff’s Office that is always accessible to you. I deeply care about the future of this County. I know firsthand what dedicating time and giving back to the community does for our County. In addition to my 17 years in law enforcement, I have volunteered as an EMT, I am currently a member of the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and serve as a school board member for the Hamilton School District.
My Experience
My career began in 2008 with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer and 911 Dispatcher. Both positions laid the foundation for my understanding of how the Sheriff’s Office is ran. These experiences also taught me how to effectively communicate with people. I learned how to build trust and earn respect amongst not only other employees of the Sheriff’s Office, but the public, other law enforcement agencies, service providers, and individuals in custody.
I went on to work as a Police Officer with the communities of Warsaw and Hamilton before being hired as a Deputy Sheriff by retired Sheriff Bentzinger in 2015. Under his leadership, I was promoted to Chief Deputy where I was tasked with managing personnel, maintaining a balanced budget, and being innovative to make cost effective improvements for the department. An example of innovation, I was assigned to look for ways to upgrade our failing radio communications system on a fixed budget. I worked with Keith Feikert and built relationships with Motorola which gave us an opportunity to negotiate pricing and make it affordable to purchase a state-of-the-art system known as STARCOM. This project was funded by seized assets from a local m**h dealer, relieving the burden to the taxpayer while enhancing communication for our public safety professionals.
In 2021, legislation was passed known as the SAFE-T Act that was more focused on giving freedom to criminals rather than protecting the rights of victims. I stepped away from law enforcement for a few months and into the private sector thinking I could continue to make a difference through a different career path. Instead, what I learned during that time was that regardless of politics or unjust legislation, law enforcement is and always has been my passion. I was thereafter recruited by the Macomb Police Department. Within six months of serving the City of Macomb, I was promoted to Detective and assigned to the West Central Illinois Task Force as an Inspector. My current position includes investigating violent crime, property crimes, and narcotics violations.
I have been honored by both the Macomb Police Department and West Central Illinois Task Force for my work ethic culminating in my recognition as the 2023 Officer of the Year. I have demonstrated strong leadership as a lead homicide investigator, successfully investigating numerous homicides and securing convictions on each case. In 2023, the Illinois Homicide Investigator’s Association commended me for excellence in my role as the lead agent coordinating a complex, multi-agency investigation of a shooting incident that resulted in one person being murdered and 10 others wounded. My extensive investigative experience has also enabled me to serve as an associate instructor for the National Criminal Justice Training Center, where I teach advanced investigative techniques for combating online child exploitation to law enforcement professionals nationwide.
Throughout my career, I have actively pursued new challenges and welcomed opportunities to expand my knowledge and expertise. I am extremely grateful for these opportunities as they have given me different perspectives and honed my skills, preparing me for this moment.
My Commitment to You
As a Hancock County native, I know our rural roads, our small towns, and the people who make our County strong. I have had the opportunity to gain valuable training and experience which will equip me to address the unique challenges we face with practical, effective solutions. As your Sheriff, I’ll lead with integrity, accountability, and a relentless focus on advocating for victims and protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens. I’ll work with local organizations to expand addiction treatment and mental health services, easing the burden on our deputies and jail staff. I’ll be
a Sheriff who’s visible—listening to your concerns and protecting every corner of Hancock County.
Join Our Campaign
It would be my honor to not only earn your vote, but your help supporting our campaign. If you are interested in helping with signs, going door to door, or attending events, please reach out to us! Together, we can build a safer, stronger Hancock County.
You can contact us by messaging the Hawes for Sheriff page, or by emailing me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Jordan Hawes
Candidate for Hancock County Sheriff
