Peoria County Sheriff's Office

Peoria County Sheriff's Office This page is not monitored 24/7. To report an emergency, please call 9-1-1. This social media policy includes Terms of Use, Prohibited Content, and Disclaimer.

For suspect information, suspicious activities, and other non-emergencies, please call 672-6011. The intent of our social media sites is to serve as a communications tool between the PCSO and the public. The PCSO and Peoria County communications personnel are the sole administrators of this site. Terms of Use: As a communications tool, the Peoria County Sheriff's Office shall utilize its Facebook

Page to raise awareness among Peoria County and neighboring residents and visitors, community partners, and interested fans and followers of public safety news and information that affects the Peoria County area. Social media sites grant the PCSO an additional opportunity to share our public safety messages with the general public. We use our page to post news releases, photos, videos, and important public safety information, including but not limited to Amber Alerts,
information about wanted criminals, road closures, power outages, and other emergency
announcements. Whenever possible, the PCSO's social media sites shall comply with all applicable Peoria County Sheriff's Office and County of Peoria policies and procedures, including section III‐13B Political Activity of the
County of Peoria Personnel Policies. Postings on the PCSO's social media sites are public records of the County of Peoria and may be subject to disclosure under the State of Illinois' Freedom on Information Act. Prohibited Content: The intended purpose of the PCSO's social media sites is to serve as a means of communication between the PCSO and members of the public. Therefore, information, posts, and comments containing any of the following forms of content shall not be allowed and will be removed from the site. Profane language or content
Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or other protected status under applicable law
Inappropriate sexual content or links to inappropriate sexual content
Solicitations of commerce
Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
Private and confidential information
Information that may tend to compromise the safety and security of the public or public systems
Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures
Comments that are personal attacks on Peoria County employees. The Peoria County Sheriff's Office disclaims any and all responsibility and liability for any materials or content that the PCSO deems inappropriate for posting. The PCSO shall make efforts to remove said materials during business hours, but disclaims liability if circumstances exist that prevent or hinder efforts to remove said materials. Disclaimer: The Peoria County Sheriff's Office does not endorse nor otherwise support or sponsor any advertising that may be posted by Facebook on the PCSO's site. Facebook is privately operated and the privacy terms of Facebook apply. The PCSO does not guarantee the reliability or accuracy of any third‐party links. The PCSO reserves the right to remove any comment or conversation that is prohibited by this Social Media Policy.

06/10/2026

See you there!

Our food service partner, Trinity Services Group, is hiring a Food Service Director and Food Service Worker to join thei...
06/08/2026

Our food service partner, Trinity Services Group, is hiring a Food Service Director and Food Service Worker to join their team at the Peoria County Jail. If you're looking for a steady career and enjoy working in a team environment, this may be a great opportunity.

Please note these positions are employed through Trinity Services Group, not the Peoria County Sheriff's Office.

Learn more and apply:
Food Service Worker
https://careers-tkcholdingsjob.icims.com/jobs/44329/food-service-worker/job?mode=view
Food Service Director
https://careers-tkcholdingsjob.icims.com/jobs/45038/food-service-director/job?mode=view

We’re grateful for our continued partnership with the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office and the work we do togethe...
06/04/2026

We’re grateful for our continued partnership with the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office and the work we do together every day to serve and protect our community.

PEORIA MAN CHARGED AND DETAINED FOR IMPERSONATING A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY

June 4, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, Dennis Walker, 43, who formerly went by the name Josh Coats, was charged with False Personation of a Peace Officer in connection with impersonating a Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputy. During Walker’s detention hearing, the State’s request for detention was granted, and he will remain in custody until trial.

On May 27, 2026, Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report that an individual had been stopped in the 5800 block of Plank Road by a man claiming to be a sheriff’s deputy. The victim reported that the man, later identified as Walker, was driving an unmarked Ford Explorer with two red and blue lights mounted on the dashboard. The defendant was dressed in black, wearing a vest similar to those worn by deputies, with a silver star but no nameplate or body camera. The victim also believed the individual was armed with a firearm.

The defendant told the victim that his driver's license was suspended, then cut it in half and tried to give him a handwritten citation. The victim knew his license was still valid and began to argue with the defendant, who then tore up the citation and fled the scene.

On June 2, the defendant was taken into custody, and a search warrant was executed at his home. Several uniforms, multiple badges, tactical gear, and a rifle were found inside.

The defendant has also been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.

This investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at 309-697-8515.
# # #

This photo is throwing us back to the 2018 Central Illinois Emergency Expo.We're looking forward to being back at the Ex...
06/04/2026

This photo is throwing us back to the 2018 Central Illinois Emergency Expo.

We're looking forward to being back at the Expo on June 17 from 4-7 p.m. at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. Stop by, say hello, check out our emergency vehicles, and meet the first responders who serve our community.

Hope to see you there!

06/03/2026

This week, Deputy Eubank had the important responsibility of helping welcome Mr. Kosher to Peoria County after his arrival at Peoria International Airport. Mr. Kosher is now somewhere out there preparing for the Limestone Township Pool scavenger hunt that begins June 6.

We'll leave the detective work to you from here. Good luck, and may the best pickle hunter win.

For Immediate ReleaseBy Sheriff Chris WatkinsCase 26-9757Peoria County Sheriff’s OfficeOn May 27, 2026, Peoria County Sh...
06/02/2026

For Immediate Release
By Sheriff Chris Watkins
Case 26-9757
Peoria County Sheriff’s Office

On May 27, 2026, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report from a citizen who stated he had been stopped by an individual claiming to be a deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. The victim reported that the stop occurred in the area of the 5800 block of Plank Road.

The victim stated that the suspect was driving a black Ford Explorer equipped with red and blue flashing lights on the front of the vehicle. The vehicle did not have front or rear license plates. The suspect was described as wearing an all black uniform with no sheriff’s office patches, nameplates, or identifying insignia.

According to the victim, the suspect told him that his driver’s license was suspended and then cut the license in half. The victim knew his license was valid and informed the suspect that he intended to contact the Sheriff’s Office to file a complaint. The suspect then returned to the black unmarked Ford Explorer and fled the area at a high rate of speed.

During the investigation, deputies identified Dennis Walker, also known as Josh Coats, as a possible suspect. A photo lineup was conducted, and the victim positively identified Walker as the individual who had falsely represented himself as a deputy.

Today, June 2nd, 2026, members of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division conducted surveillance and determined that Walker was residing at a residence in the 3000 block of W. Trewyn Avenue. Investigators also learned that Walker had an active Peoria County warrant for Aggravated Domestic Battery and had gone to prison in Texas for impersonating a police officer. Members of the United States Marshals Task Force and the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division executed a warrant at the residence and took Walker into custody without incident.

During a search of the residence, detectives recovered an AR 15 rifle with a defaced serial number, several metal badges, a vest resembling law enforcement body armor, pants with law enforcement style equipment attachments, handcuffs, leg shackles, a realistic pellet handgun, and a pepper spray launcher.

Walker was charged with:
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Defaced Firearm
• No Valid FOID Card
• False Personation of a Police Officer

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Kester at [email protected] or 309 657 7072.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from almost all the residents along Ratliff Road reg...
06/02/2026

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from almost all the residents along Ratliff Road regarding trespassing, riding in the creek, and unsafe operation of UTVs and four wheelers at all hours of the day and night.

In response, deputies and Illinois DNR officers will be increasing enforcement in this area. State law does not allow UTVs or four wheelers to be operated in the creek or on Ratliff Road. While the City of Chillicothe has an ordinance permitting UTVs on certain city streets, that ordinance does not apply to county roads or waterways.

We are asking riders to respect private property, follow state law, and help us keep this area safe for everyone who lives there.

Peoria County covers a lot more miles than most people realize. From city streets to country roads, our deputies cover a...
06/02/2026

Peoria County covers a lot more miles than most people realize.

From city streets to country roads, our deputies cover a lot of ground in a day. So… which landmark is approximately the same size as Peoria County?

Drop your guess below before checking the answer in our Stories tomorrow!

National E Bike Day is the perfect time to talk about riding smart and protecting your investment. Whether you’re headin...
05/30/2026

National E Bike Day is the perfect time to talk about riding smart and protecting your investment. Whether you’re heading across town, riding the Riverfront, or just enjoying the warmer weather, a little extra attention can go a long way.

Wear your helmet. Stay alert. Follow traffic laws. And when you park your bike, lock it up and keep valuables out of sight. E bikes are becoming more popular, and unfortunately, more attractive to thieves too.

We want everyone to enjoy the ride and make it home safely with their bike still where they left it. Stay smart, stay aware, and enjoy the ride, Peoria County.

Address

301 N Maxwell Road
Peoria, IL
61604

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Peoria County Sheriff's Office posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Peoria County Sheriff's Office:

Share