About Us
Ross Schultze, Sheriff
Sheriff Schultze was elected in 2022.
MISSING ADULT FEMALE - MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington County IL Sheriff's Office
MISSING PERSON ALERT: BRITTANY MOESER
April 24, 2024
The Washington County IL Sheriff's Office is urgently seeking the public's assistance in locating Brittany Moeser, a 36-year-old female who has been missing since April 13, 2024, from Clarmin, Illinois.
Brittany Moeser is described as 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 128 pounds, with light red hair. She was last seen on April 13, 2024, when she left her residence.
Family members reported Brittany missing and indicated that she may be armed, prompting responders to exercise extreme caution during the initial search efforts. Despite extensive search operations involving numerous search and rescue agencies from St. Clair, Washington, and Randolph counties, as well as the Eureka MO Search and Rescue team, Brittany Moeser has not yet been located.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) have conducted two flyovers of the area since Brittany's disappearance. Additionally, two drone teams from Irvington, IL, and Coulterville, IL, have provided assistance in the search efforts. Over the past 12 days efforts have been extensive, covering over 500 acres of land.
It is imperative to note that while Brittany has previously left home, she has always maintained contact with her family members. However, her current disappearance is concerning due to her known medical conditions, which greatly jeopardize her mental and physical well-being.
Sheriff Ross Schultze of the Washington County IL Sheriff's Office implores anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Brittany Moeser to come forward. Time is of the essence in situations such as this, and any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to locating Brittany and ensuring her safety.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Brittany Moeser during this time of great uncertainty. The Washington County IL Sheriff's Office remains committed to the search and investigation, and we will continue to pursue all leads until Brittany is located.
If you have any information regarding Brittany Moeser's whereabouts, please use the information listed below.
Contact:
Washington County IL Sheriff's Office
Phone: 618-327-8274 Ext. 4
VIGIL FOR BRITTANY MOESER
The family of Brittany Moeser is having a candlelight vigil, on November 13. It will be held at the Marissa High School at 1700. They asked anyone that would be willing to come to be there. The family would greatly appreciate the support.
THE WASHINGTON COUNTY FOP LODGE 274 IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR "SHOP WITH A COP"
The Washington County FOP Lodge 274 is accepting donations for "Shop with a Cop". Checks can be made out to "FOP Lodge 274" and can be mailed to PO Box 49 Nashville, IL 62263. You can also drop off donations to Washington County Sheriff's Office or any other local police department in the county.
HALLOWEEN MAY BE ONE OF OUR FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR
Sheriff Schultze and Dpt. Mathis sure enjoyed their time in Hoyleton tonight.
INTRODUCING FULL-TIME DEPUTY JOHN VINCENT
We would like to introduce full-time Deputy John Vincent. Dpt. Vincent graduated SWIC Police Academy in August 2024. He has 17 years federal law enforcement experience, worked 12 years with Department of Labor and 5 years with US Army. He worked for Brooklyn Police Department prior to coming to Washington County Sheriff's Office. When asked to send some fun facts about himself, he advised he likes long walks on the beach. It seems we have another Army guy with a sense of humor on our roster. Congratulations Dpt. Vincent and welcome to the team.
WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECEIVES DONATION FROM THE PROCEEDS FROM THE HIDE AND SEEK EVENT
The final donation total is in!! The Washington County Sheriff's Office received $2226.00 from the Hide and Seek event. Sheriff Schultze is letting the deputies decide what the donation will go towards, but we welcome you posting your ideas in the comments. Thanks again to everyone, especially Brooke Rennegarbe, for all your help with this wonderful event.
Pictured left to right, Chief Deputy Charles Carroll, Brooke Rennegarbe, Sheriff Schultze.
WHAT A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
Wow, what a night Saturday night was! I truly do not know who had more fun, the deputies and officers, the participants, or the local spectators. The deputies have been telling me all sorts of hilarious stories this morning. From the “UPS” worker hiding in plain sight, participant dressing in a ghillie suite, participant bringing a deer blind, someone actually having the patience to sit in a trash can for an hour and half (I don’t think I could pull that one off), and the stories go on and on. This is an event we will be talking about for a long time here at the Sheriff’s Office and would love to see the event continue.
All of us here at the Sheriff’s Office want to give a huge heart-felt thank you to Brooke Rennegarbe. For it being your first Hide and Seek event, you faced hurdles and speed bumps, but you were determined to pull this event off and that you did! You spent countless hours getting this event together and it truly showed. We are extremely thankful.
We also want to thank the City of Nashville for allowing this event to take place at the Memorial Park. The Nashville Police Department for assisting with the “apprehension” of the participants, all of the people and businesses that donated to this event. We further want to thank Darrah and Matt with EMA for bringing “Vic” out. Darrah with EMA for all her extra work with assisting in organizing and planning, and Dpt. Klingeman and Dpt. Styninger for taking the lead on the Sheriff’s Office side of planning. Thank you to all the participants for abiding by the rules so that we are able to have this event again.
This event wasn’t just a morale booster for our department and employees, but was a great fun way for us to mingle with the citizens that we serve. We undoubtedly have one of the best communities and we could not be more grateful.
One thing we learned and will do next time, is to have participants sign a social media release waiver. Our deputies have several pictures of the kiddos that participated, but unfortunately aren’t able to post them.
We encourage you to post any pictures and videos from Saturday night’s event in the comments.
Thank you all again and hope to see you next year.
DPT. MAYORAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DETAIL LEADS TO ARREST
Around 7PM on September 22, 2024 Dpt. Mayoral was working a speed enforcement detail. While working this detail, he observed a truck traveling 101 MPH in a posted 55 MPH zone. The truck was traveling eastbound on State Rt. 177 near Cherry Rd. Dpt. Mayoral turned around and activated emergency lighting initiating a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, and led Dpt. Mayoral on an eight mile pursuit hitting speeds of 80+ MPH. Dpt. Melton joined the pursuit and both deputies continued on dirt and gravel field roads at high rates of speed. The decision was made to terminate the pursuit for deputy and public safety concerns. The deputies stayed in the area hoping to spot the vehicle.
Multiple residents in the area were flagging deputies down and telling them the truck had recently passed them at high speeds. Deputies were directed to a residence on Aspen Rd, where the owner of the property advised the deputies that the truck had just pulled into the barn, and closed all the doors. Deputies set up a perimeter and called additional officers for cover. The Nashville Police Department responded with two officers, the Okawville Police Department responded with one officer. The Illinois State Police were responding to the deputy’s location but ended up canceled before they arrived. Prior to Nashville and Okawville Police Department arrived, Dpt. Melton used the PA system to order the subjects out. Three males exited the barn and complied with commands. All three were detained without incident. A 16 year old and 20 year old passenger were released. The driver was found to have active warrants out of Perry County and Clinton County. The driver was charged with speeding 35+ over the speed limit, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving. The driver was given a notice to appear on these charges and transported to Perry County due to his outstanding warrants.
DPT. MATHIS FOOT PURSUIT AND DPT. MATHIS ARRESTS SUSPECT FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER
On Monday 10/7/2024 at 9:17pm Deputy Mathis responded to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 245 N Kaskaskia St, Nashville, Il to complete a Sex Offender Registration for 29 year old Brandon Collins.
Washington County Dispatch notified Deputy Mathis that Collins had an active arrest warrant from Madison County, IL for theft. Deputy Mathis informed Brandon that he had a warrant. When notified Brandon did not comply with Deputy Mathis and he ran north on N. Kaskaskia St. Deputy Mathis quickly chased Collins down. The foot pursuit ended one block north on N Kaskaskia St, where Deputy Mathis was able to safely apprehend him.
Brandon Collins was booked into the Washington County Jail Madison County Warrant and was additionally charged with Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer.
Deputy Isaiah Mathis 958
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On Saturday 10/12/2024, Deputy Mathis arrived on duty early for his normal 6a-6p shift. Deputy Mayoral was still on duty finishing up a call before the end of his 6p -6a evening shift. There was only one Deputy on duty for the 6a-6p dayshift. Deputy Mathis was the dayshift deputy for the weekend of 10/12-10/13/2024.
At approximately 5:40am Deputy Mathis received a call regarding a suspicious person on US HWY 51 and ST. RT. 15 in Ashley, IL. Deputy Mayoral heard the call and communicated with Deputy Mathis that he would also respond to the call. Deputy Mayoral arrived first and located the suspicious person. Deputy Mathis arrived shortly after and made contact with the male subject.
During the initial discussion with the subject, Deputies Mayoral and Mathis noticed odd behavior from the subject. The subject was aggressively asking deputies for a ride. When he was denied a ride the subject started to walk off expressing anger.
Deputy Mathis and Mayoral discussed the situation and Deputy Mayoral advised Deputy Mathis that the subject initially lied about his name and date of birth. Washington County Dispatch had the subject’s information from a call for service on 10/11/2024, where an abandoned vehicle was found at the same location. On that day Deputy Mathis towed the vehicle because it was left on a public highway. Deputy Mathis told Deputy Mayoral that he would try to talk to the subject again and if the subject would calm down, he would attempt to get him a ride. Deputy Mathis got back in his vehicle and re-approached the subject.
Deputy Mathis caught up with the subject and exited his squad car to speak with him. The subject suddenly attacked Deputy Mathis. The subject grabbed Deputy Mathis’ Taser, ripped it off of his vest and knocked his body camera off. Deputy Mathis was quickly able to take the subject to the ground. While on the ground Deputy Mathis called Deputy Mayoral over the radio and requested assistance. While waiting for Deputy Mayoral to arrive. The subject got his arm free and attempted to take Deputy Mathis’ firearm. Deputy Mathis obtained a position of control without the subject taking his firearm. When Deputy Mayoral arrived they were able to safely handcuff the subject and take him into custody.
The subject was charged with Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer and Disarming a Peace Officer.
Deputy Mathis used his training and skill to quickly subdue the subject. Deputy Mayoral was still on duty to assist with the call.
If Deputy Mayoral would have been off duty or Deputy Mathis wouldn't have been early for his shift, back up could have been over 30 minutes away.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
K9 WALK-THROUGH
This morning K9 Deputy Storie and K9 Rip completed a walk-through at the Okawville High School at the request of Principal Rakers.
