Sheriff Tom Lillquist has been a member of the Winnebago
County Law Enforcement Community for over 35 years. Tom
began his career as a Winnebago County Deputy in 1967.
After serving as a Deputy, in 1974 Tom was promoted to
Chief Deputy by Sheriff Donald Vold. In 1991 Tom was
appointed Winnebago County Sheriff when Sheriff Vold retired.
Since that time Tom has been elected Sheriff three times.
Sheriff Lillquist is currently the Chairman of the Board at the
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). The Iowa Law
Enforcement Academy is the main training and certification
center for police officers in the state of Iowa. The Law
Enforcement Academy works closely with the Iowa
Legislature to set the training standards for Iowa's police
officers. An appointment to the Academy Board is for four
years. Tom has been Chairman of the Board for four years
and has been a Board Member for over ten years. Tom's
original appointment to the Board was in 1993.
Sheriff Lillquist is currently serving on the North Iowa
Task Force Advisory Board. The North Iowa Task Force is
a cooperative effort by Law Enforcement Agencies in North
Iowa to combat drug crime in North Iowa.
Tom is also on the Board for the 2nd Judicial District
Advisory Committee for the Department of Corrections. This
Board oversees various Department of Corrections programs
and other services.
In 1995, through donations supplied by the people of
Winnebago County, the Sheriff's Office was able to obtain Tex,
a K9 trained in illegal drug detection. Tex is an eight year old
Golden Retriever. Sheriff Lillquist and Tex have participated in
training sessions in the State of Iowa and in other States, and
have continued to assist law enforcement agencies in the fight
against illegal drug crime. Tom was required to complete a
70-hour handler school in order to properly work with Tex, and
completes continuing education courses when available. Tex
has accounted for thousands of dollars in drug seizures since
joining the Sheriff's Office. Tex is now nearing retirement.
In 1995 Sheriff Lillquist implemented the Sheriff's Deputy
Reserve program as a means of enhancing service to the
citizens of Winnebago County. Deputy Reserves are highly
motivated, concerned citizens who are trained to assist the
Sheriff's Office in the performance of duties. This gives citizens
of Winnebago County added service during peak incident times.
Sheriff Lillquist also began several community service
programs as a way to improve service to the community, and
enhance communication between the Sheriff and the public.
Sheriff Lillquist implemented Project DARE in the Sheriff's Office.
DARE places a Deputy in schools to teach drug awareness, and
improve communication between police and our youth. Tom
began an annual Halloween safety event in the communities of
Winnebago County. This event, which is in the form of a
community supper, places Sheriff's personnel within the towns
as a way of improving safety and communication in those
communities.
Sheriff Lillquist is also involved in teaching Hunter Safety.
A certified Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Firearms Instructor,
Tom has been teaching Hunter Safety courses for over 10 years.
These classes are designed to promote weapons and hunter
safety for anyone born after January 1, 1967 (as required by
Iowa law). Tom has trained more than 500 people through this
Hunter Safety program.
Tom and his wife Sandy live in Forest City and have two
children and three grandchildren. |
