Sheriff Brian Asbell
In The News
Local law enforcement officers honored at special awards banquet - WEEK-TV
May 29, 2018
Local law enforcement officers were honored at a special awards banquet in Peoria County.
It comes in the middle of Police Week, a bittersweet time as the police community remembers those lives lost in the line of duty. But, according to Sheriff Brian Asbell, it's also a time to celebrate those members doing great things on the job.
Race for the Cure Taking Place in Peoria - WMBD-TV
May 10, 2018
PEORIA, Ill. - The streets of Peoria will be a sea of pink this Saturday, as thousands will be participating in Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer Research.
Among the participants will be cancer survivor and Peoria County Captain Ronda Guyton.
With two days until the race, Guyton has challenged sponsors to help Team Ronda raise and additional $5,000. If the goal is reached, Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell will be sporting a pink tutu.
Project recovery: a way to help you "reach" for a solution - WMBD-TV
April 20, 2018
Recovery, education, advocacy, community and health or otherwise known as "reach."
More than 50 different organizations will help you and your family reach for help.
"The Peoria Fire Department will be on hand to provide narcan training, CPR training," says Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell.
Peoria County Jail inmates looking to turn over a new leaf - CIProud
February 23, 2018
Selected inmates at the Peoria County Jail had the opportunity to right their wrongs and participate in the Job's Partnership Re-Entry program.
"This is an eight-week program that they just completed which is life skills, job training, a lot of soft skills," says Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell. "There are some of the skills that we've talked to the area-employers that they really want to concentrate on."
Daylong Peoria event in April to help those with addiction issues - Peoria Journal Star
February 19, 2018
To combat the ongoing heroin epidemic, local police will join recovery experts, politicians and others for an all-day event in April designed to educate the public about the ongoing crisis with opiods.
At a news conference Monday at City Hall, Mayor Jim Ardis was joined by several others to announce the Peoria Recovery Project, which will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21 at the Peoria Civic Center.
Police encourage online safety discussions - CIProud
February 08, 2018
The death of a teenager from Spring Valley is drawing attention to internet safety. Police believe Diamond Bradley who was found stabbed to death on January 27 along a rural county road, had agreed to meet Richard Henderson online.
Authorities believe Henderson picked up Bradley from her home and took her to Putnam County where they eventually fought and she was killed.He faces charges of concealing a homicide but additional charges are expected.
A Sheriff's Role in Healthcare - InterBusiness Issues
February 01, 2018
The sheriff's job has many functions and responsibilities, and is key to ensuring the local criminal justice system works efficiently. Many only think of a sheriff in the law enforcement capacity—the “lawman” or “crime fighter”—but the reality is, today's sheriff is much more than a police officer.
Police urge Peoria churches to be vigilant on safety - Peoria Journal Star
January 16, 2018
When a gunman opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, last November, witnesses in the congregation said it was “unimaginable.”
That mentality was the target for Peoria County and city police’s House of Worship Safety Training seminar Tuesday evening.
New Helping Hand bus would give ex-felons a ride to work
January 03, 2018
Ron Valle knows if he can help former prisoners find jobs, the individuals — and the community — will benefit.
“Two-thirds of the crimes in Peoria are committed by repeat offenders. Since we had 23,000 crimes committed in Peoria County last year, think of what that means if we can get more of those repeat offenders jobs.”
This Is Not Your Father’s County Jail - Bureau County Republican
January 02, 2018
When I was a youngster in days of yore, the sheriff and his wife lived above the 19th-century jail, and the better half served as the matron, preparing the same meals for the inmates downstairs as for her family.
Granted, it was a tiny county, but all jails were pretty much the same then – warehouses for detainees caught between law enforcement and their day in court, you might say.
Peoria County Sheriff’s Office cuts services with 2018 budget - WEEK-TV
December 13, 2017
Many agencies have scrambled to put together a budget as the new year inches closer. Among those, the Peoria County Sheriff's Office.
One of the big changes includes eliminating the custodial service the county jail has been using for over three decades, Kimco Services. This is expected to save $130,000 per year because female inmates will take over the duties.
Prayer group meets outside the Peoria County Jail - Peoria Journal Star
December 02, 2017
Christmas arrived at the Peoria County Jail on Saturday morning.
Christian Library International, a prison ministry based in Raleigh, N.C., held the organization’s sixth annual Prayer at the Prison Gate on the sidewalk outside the jail.
John Haeffele, a Peoria resident who’s with the CLI group, led a group of 10 that included Sheriff Brian Asbell in prayer and in singing Christmas carols.
“We hope they heard us inside,” said Haeffele, 56, who joined the Christian group after being incarcerated himself.
Jefferson entrance to courthouse re-opens - Peoria Journal Star
November 27, 2017
Six months after it was closed, the entrance to the Peoria County Courthouse on Jefferson Avenue was reopened Monday.
At a ceremony Monday morning, Sheriff Brian Asbell reopened the entrance, meaning visitors and employees have two ways to get into the building, on Jefferson and on Main Street. The entrance had been closed because of budgetary issues, but Asbell vowed to reopened it.
Peoria County Jail graduates inaugural class of re-entry program - WMBD-TV
November 22, 2017
There's a feeling of gratefulness from the newest graduating class of the Peoria County jail's Job Partnership Re-Entry program.
The 7 week program teaches students skills, they'll need in the future, with the hopes of preparing them to be productive members of society and helping them land a job.
Peoria County Jail uses rehabilitation to reduce recidivism- WMBD-TV
November 15, 2017
The Peoria County Jail is handling fewer inmates on a daily basis, but it doesn't mean there are fewer problems to handle behind bars.
"We're averaging between 40 and 60 new arrests every month that will go on some form of withdrawal protocol," said Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell.
Sheriff Asbell makes candidacy official - WCBU Peoria Public Radio
September 19, 2017
Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell made his candidacy official Mon.
Asbell is filling out the remainder of the term, vacated by Mike McCoy over the summer. McCoy says Asbell is the best possible person for the position.
“It’s not a job for somebody who doesn’t know what they are doing," McCoy said.
Ronda Guyton is first black woman to oversee jail - Peoria Journal Star
August 14, 2017
In front of nearly 100 family members, colleagues and friends, Ronda Guyton became the county’s first black woman to achieve the rank of captain at the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Guyton, a 24-year veteran of the office, beamed as she was sworn in by Sheriff Brian Asbell. Also sworn in was Carmisha Turner, an 11-year veteran who will be the new deputy superintendent at the jail.
Peoria County Jail has a new Superintendent - WCBU Peoria Public Radio
August 14, 2017
Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell received his official appointment with the Peoria County Board’s approval late last week. He’s filling out the remainder of the Sheriff's term vacated by Mike McCoy earlier this summer. And Asbell has been quick to make his first official appointments.
Brian Asbell to be tapped officially as Peoria County Sheriff - Peoria Journal Star
August 04, 2017
Brian Asbell will likely be able to take the “interim” off his title next Thursday night.
Peoria County Board chairman Andrew Rand announced Friday that he intends to recommend Asbell be appointed sheriff to replace Mike McCoy, who left at the end of June to serve as Washington police chief.