Lessons learned in the wake of a killing spree

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One year has passed since the horrible killings of a rural Sterling man and four Rock Falls residents. The suspect, Nicholas Sheley, remains jailed in Knox County on charges of killing a Galesburg man. He also is charged with killing an Arkansas couple in a Festus, Mo., motel parking lot.

The 6-day killing spree was nothing like the Sauk Valley had experienced. In the aftermath, what has been learned?

Police have discovered anew the value of enhancing teamwork with other departments as much as possible. While local authorities called in backups from neighboring police forces during the manhunt a year ago, several stumbling blocks emerged. For instance, officers from other jurisdictions had to be sworn in daily to assist with the investigation.

Those obstacles will disappear after the creation of the Northwest Illinois Major Case Squad, which should be finalized next month.

The squad is a cooperative consisting of 14 police agencies, including Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon, Oregon, Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll, and six county prosecutors’ offices, including Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll. An intergovernmental agreement sets forth in advance how the squad can be activated and what police agencies can and can’t do while operating in other jurisdictions.

Just as important is the squad’s inventory of various departments’ capabilities and equipment. With this information, individual departments can cut down on time needed to bring in extra detectives, tactical units and dive teams, for example.

At one point in last year’s manhunt, local police really needed the use of a police helicopter equipped for nighttime searches. They called one in from Wisconsin. The unfortunate delay in its arrival gave the suspect more time to escape.

No more. Authorities in nearby Stephenson County, a major case squad member, have a refurbished military helicopter with infrared capabilities. Its quick availability will be a boon to other squad members faced with similar nighttime searches.

We think this major case squad is an excellent idea. The challenge now will be to keep it going. Area sheriffs once had a major case squad, but it disbanded in the 1990s. Police must not allow that to happen again.

Authorities are cementing their mutual cooperation. They also need to encourage greater cooperation from the public. In the heat of a manhunt, police need to take time to disseminate information to the public as rapidly and as widely as possible.

The value of citizen input is undeniable. Citizen tips, after all, brought about the arrest of Sheley in Granite City. People need to remain alert for criminal activity and tell police what they see. One call may make all the difference in halting a major crime spree.

One more thing that everyone has learned: Criminal activity hasn’t let up. Just a week ago, a Sterling man died and another man was injured when they were attacked and beaten by three men. Two suspects were arrested, but the third is at large.

The fight against crime is never-ending. Society’s best chance of prevailing is when police and the public work together.