Kewanee Police Department

08/25/2026

***RASHAWN HAS RETURNED HOME. THANK YOU TO ALL THAT SHARED THE POST***

RUNAWAY JUVENILE

The Kewanee Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 16 year old Rashawn Butler, who was reported as a runaway juvenile. Rashawn is 5'9 and approximately 295 pounds.

Rashawn left his residence at approximately 11:30 p.m. on August 23, 2026. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with “Chicago” written in white lettering and black basketball shorts. He also has a blonde patch in his hair.

Anyone who has seen Rashawn or has information regarding his current whereabouts is asked to contact the Kewanee Police Department.

Please share this post to help us locate him safely.

08/24/2026

Update Regarding School Lockdown

On August 24, 2026, the Kewanee Police Department received a call reporting a person walking in the area of 10th and Vine Streets who appeared to be wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying fi****ms. The caller also provided a general physical and clothing description.

Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate anyone matching the description. The Police Department received no additional calls regarding the individual.

Based on the information available at the time, and out of an abundance of caution, local schools were notified of the report while officers continued to search for the subject.

A short time later, officers contacted a resident in the area who matched the general physical and clothing description provided by the caller. The resident explained that they had been exercising while wearing a weighted training vest, which was shown to officers.

The investigation determined that the individual was wearing a weighted exercise vest and that there was no armed subject or ongoing threat associated with the incident.

08/17/2026

08/05/2026

National Night Out Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to all of our 2026 National Night Out giveaway winners! Each winner was randomly selected from the eligible entries.

Thank you to everyone who participated, donated prizes and helped make National Night Out a success. Your continued support helps us build positive connections between our officers and the community.

Winners will be contacted directly by the Kewanee Police Department within the next 24 hours with information about claiming their prizes.

Congratulations, everyone!

08/05/2026

Kewanee Man Arrested for DUI After Vehicle Crashes into Building

On August 4, 2026, at approximately 7:47 p.m., officers with the Kewanee Police Department responded to the 600 block of Edwards Street for a report of a vehicle that had struck a building. Initial information also indicated that the driver may have entered or attempted to enter a nearby residence.

Upon arrival, officers located a pickup truck that had traveled through a yard, struck and damaged a chain-link fence, crossed a concrete basketball court, and crashed through the exterior walls of a detached outbuilding. The vehicle continued through an interior wall, where it struck a pool table and bar, causing additional structural damage.

Officers located the driver, identified as 48-year-old Neil Gardner of Kewanee, near the residence. During their investigation, officers observed signs that Gardner was impaired. Gardner was arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail.

On 08/05/26 the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Gardner with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Class A misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (Class A Misdemeanor), Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Improper Traffic Lane Usage.

Gardner is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

08/05/2026

🎉 Nintendo Switch 2 Raffle Winner! 🎉

Congratulations to Ava G., the winner of our Nintendo Switch 2 raffle! The winning entry was randomly selected from all 213 eligible entries.

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and supported the raffle. Proceeds will help fund future National Night Out celebrations and other Kewanee Police Department community engagement events and programs.

We truly appreciate your participation and continued support of positive connections between our officers and the community!

We will contact the winner directly with information about claiming the prize. The winners of the raffle giveaways will be announced shortly.

08/04/2026

FREE RAFFLE GIVEAWAYS AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT!

Stop by the Kewanee Police Department tent tonight for your chance to win:

Six bicycles
Oil change and tire rotation
$500 vehicle purchase certificate
Gift cards from Moore Tires, Sullivan’s Foods and La Gondola
Pizza Hut dinner for two

Entry is completely FREE—no purchase necessary! Visit the KPD tent, scan the QR code displayed with each prize and enter to win.

We’ll also have our Nintendo Switch 2 raffle available for $5 per ticket.

📅 Tonight—Tuesday, August 4
⏰ 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 Northeast Park

A huge thank-you to Ed Morse Kewanee, Cernovich’s Auto & Truck Wrecking and all our generous local donors to make this raffle giveaway happen!

08/03/2026

Tomorrow is National Night Out 2026!

Join us Tuesday, August 4 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Northeast Park for a full evening of community fun. Movie in the park starts at 8:00 PM.

Here’s what’s happening:
🏊 Free Swim at Oasis Pool
🌭 Free hot dogs, chips, water, and juice boxes while supplies last
🚘 Cruise-In with classic and custom cars
🚓 Emergency vehicle displays
🏢 Local organizations, businesses, and community displays
🐴 Free pony rides for children from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, sponsored by Kiwanis Club
🐾 K9 Demo at 5:30 PM at the Pool North baseball field
🎟 Raffle giveaways at the KPD tent — must be present to enter. Winners will be drawn and contacted on August 5.
🎮 Nintendo Switch 2 raffle — tickets are $5, winner drawn August 5 at 10:00 AM
🎬 Movie in the Park featuring Lilo & Stitch at 8:00 PM between the Pool South and Pool North baseball fields
🍿 Free popcorn during the movie, sponsored by First Baptist Church. Location for popcorn will be at the Snack Shack.

The Snack Shack concession stand will also be open with their full menu available for purchase.

Event map / layout:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1XmR4s7xGqnESlkuHvmbMNjltF0P6b_8&usp=sharing

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for helping make this event possible as well as all of the organizations and businesses showing up for the event!

This event is free and open to everyone. Come out, meet your neighbors, visit with local first responders, businesses and organizations, and enjoy a great summer evening in the park!

08/03/2026

The Kewanee Police Department had the privilege of es**rting the dedicated runners participating in the St Jude Henry County/Stark County to Peoria Run as they made their way toward Peoria on Saturday, August 1st, 2026.

Every year, we are reminded of the incredible commitment, sacrifice, and determination these runners, volunteers, organizers, and supporters put forth for such an amazing cause. The miles they cover represent far more than a journey down the road. They represent hope for children and families facing some of life's toughest battles.

Seeing so many people come together in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is truly inspiring. Countless hours of training, fundraising, planning, and volunteer work go into making this event possible, and we are proud to play a small part in helping ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.

A special thank you goes out to Ultimate Detailing & Window Tinting 309 for generously donating their time and effort to make our es**rt vehicles shine. Despite the rain trying its best to undo their hard work, our squads looked fantastic and represented our community with pride. We greatly appreciate their support and commitment to helping make this event a success.

Thank you to all of the runners, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Your dedication, generosity, and compassion are truly inspiring and serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a greater purpose.

We are honored to have been a part of this incredible tradition and wish everyone involved a safe and successful run.

Photos courtesy of: Cornerstone Photos