Sheriff Robert J. Hertz Sheriff of Madison County Illinois      Sheriff Hertz serves as President of the Board of Directors of Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC). The mission of SILEC is to improve and strengthen local law enforcement; to encourage research and development directed toward new and improved methods for the prevention and reduction of crime and the detection and apprehension of criminals; and to provide in-service training to local police and sheriff’s departments, as well as other practitioners in the administration of justice and public safety.      Robert J. Hertz was sworn in as the Sheriff of Madison County on December 2, 2002. Sheriff Hertz started work with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on March 1, 1972 as a uniformed deputy sheriff working in the Patrol Division. In late 1974 he was transferred into the Investigative Division as a Detective, and remained there until 1983 when he was named Chief Deputy Sheriff. Prior to his election as Sheriff in 2002 he served in a variety of positions within the Sheriff’s Department including; Chief of Detectives, Jail Superintendent, Administrative Assistant, and Chief Deputy Sheriff. During his career Sheriff Hertz was promoted through the ranks serving as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and now Sheriff.      In 1977 Sheriff Hertz graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Administration of Justice from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois. From 1992 to 2002 Sheriff Hertz worked part-time at night as a criminal justice instructor at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Sheriff Hertz is a 1983 graduate from the F.B.I. National Academy in Washington D. C. and a past Deputy Commander with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis.      Sheriff Hertz serves on the boards of the Major Case Squad, the Madison County Child Advocacy Center, and the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. Sheriff Hertz is also currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Southern Zone of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. SILEC Board Members Bond County Jeff Brown, Sheriff Chris Bauer, State’s Attorney Jack Langel, County Board Member Clinton County Michael Kreke, Sheriff Marc Hoffmann, Superintendent James Sullivan, County Board Member Madison County Robert Hertz, Sheriff Tom Hoechst, Mayor/Alton Edward Hagnauer, Mayor/Granite City William Meyer, County Board Member Larry Trucano, County Board Member Bob Churchich, Citizen Monroe County Daniel Kelley, Sheriff Franklin Kohler, Citizen Mike Kovarik, County Board Commissioner Randolph County Michael Hoelscher, Sheriff Terry Luehr - Co. Board Chairman Randy Rodewald, State’s Attorney St. Clair County Mearl Justus, Sheriff Mark Eckert, Mayor/Belleville Nathaniel O’Bannon, Mayor/Brooklyn Brendan Kelly, Circuit Clerk Jerry Dinges, County Board Member Larry Stammer, County Board Member Washington County Charles Parker, Sheriff David Meyer, County Board Chairman Brian Fletcher, Chief/Nashville At Large John Bellcoff, SWMPAC Lou Lorton, Chief/Greenville John Betten, Chief/O’Fallon/ASSIST #14 Chairman Joe Edwards, Chief/Columbia