Carry On Your Passion To Serve
Your service doesn’t have to end with the military. Your unique skills and experiences are invaluable assets in protecting and serving our communities. Join the ranks of law enforcement and continue your legacy of honor, courage, and dedication. Real Illinois veterans now serving in sheriffs’ offices describe the natural fit: the camaraderie, the structure, and the mission you missed when you left the military are still there in law enforcement. One veteran who served 10 years before driving truck briefly says the job didn’t fit until he applied to be a deputy sheriff of Lake County. Sheriffs’ offices today have boat teams, dive teams, K-9, drones, SWAT, ERT, and traffic reconstruction — “literally everything for what you want to do.” With GI Bill coverage for academy training and veterans’ preference points on civil service exams, the path from service to service is built for you. Take the first step into your new career. Give us your email and we’ll send you information about becoming a law enforcement professional.
Common Questions
Quick answers for veterans considering an Illinois sheriff’s office career.
View video transcript
0:00 — Familiar Structure, New Mission
When I got out of the military, the camaraderie, the kind of structure, I missed it too much, that kind of lifestyle. Being a part of law enforcement, it gives you that. It’s a rewarding career just like the military.
0:14 — From Service to Service
So I was in the military for 10 years. I came back. I was driving truck. It really wasn’t fitting for me. I looked at what else could I do to serve our community? And I applied to be a deputy sheriff of Lake County. My aspiration in life really is to help out in any way that I can. That’s why I chose this line of work. Being able to put that uniform on every day, feeling proud of yourself. It was an easy transition for me into corrections.
0:45 — Many Roles, Many Specialties
For me, I’m on our SWAT team. It’s ERT. We have a boat team, a dive team, canines, drones, traffic reconstructionists. We literally have everything for what you want to do. We’re looking for somebody who doesn’t want to just come in and do a job. We want to look for somebody who has a passion for doing this type of work.
1:11 — Family Away From Family
Aside from serving the military, there really isn’t another profession that, at the end of the day, when we do that job, we’re able to actually make a difference. You’re proud of yourself. Your family’s proud of you. My kids look up to me every day. The people you’re serving with are your family away from your family. We support one another and pick up one another when we need to. You’ve got people that’ll work with you. You’ve got opportunities. Even with training, it’s there. I’ve never been told no to training. Every day is different. You don’t know what you’re going to get.
1:40 — Why We Need You
Being able to adapt quickly to that structure that law enforcement brings, I have not met a veteran who does not meet that example. I have been in law enforcement almost 50 years. This is what I love to do. I don’t know how to do anything else other than to protect and serve, and we need more dedicated people who’s willing to protect and serve this country. Law enforcement is an honorable profession. I hope you join the team and step up and serve with your heart, with your mind. That is what we need in law enforcement every day, 24/7.
