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 This section was created
for the sports men and women of Illinois. We have asked some of
our local officers to contribute to our public education and community
outreach programs by telling us something about themselves.
Name: CPO Jack
Rife
University Of Wisconsin
Region / District: 1
/ I
Years of experience: 25.5
years
Specialized training: Field
Training Officer, Forensics officer and Breath Alcohol Certified, Region
I Union Steward.
Why did I become a CPO? I have always loved law enforcement. Since
high school I have wanted to be a game warden. I was born and
raised in the country. I have always been exposed to the outdoors.
Most interesting arrest(s)? The
most interesting was on a state area
along route 20 just at dusk during closed season. There was a dead
end road and something drew me down it. I had a gut feeling.
I decided to check it and found an IOWA truck parked on the road.
I noticed in the back of the truck there was an empty gun case. I
followed a foot path down and didn't see anything. I decided to
wait. In about 15 minutes a guy came walking out in full camo
sweating like he had just run a marathon. I asked him what he was
doing and he said he was scouting out for handgun deer season. I
asked him about the gun case and he said it was a friends. I
looked at the case and it had a friends name and address on it. I
recorded all of the mans information and let him on his way.
 I
walked down the trail and kept looking under brush piles and in snow
drifts. Down another 1/2 mile I found the evidence. A
freshly killed deer. I immediately called GALENA POLICE and had
them searching for the IOWA truck and the man. Galena Police found
the truck and arrested the man to be questioned by IDNR. After a
lengthy interview the guy confessed and further searching found his
REMINGTON 700 BDL - 7mm MAG. The rifle and $2,200.00 was forfeited
to the DNR with a 5 year revocation of hunting privileges.
Unsolved cases? I
am interested in the publics help on a case just south of Stockton where
7 deer lie dead in a field. Nothing taken from the bodies.
All seven had gun shot wounds from a .22 rifle. Persons with information can
contact us via our TIPS number at 1-877-2-DNR-LAW.
Area of expertise? Deer
and Turkey enforcement. I am an official measurer for
POPE
AND YOUNG. I have spent extensive time with the Turkey release
program in JoDaviess County since the first release in 1980 with hunting
starting in 1984.
Outside interests? Bow
hunting, fishing, flying fixed winged planes..
Other officer which inspires you? Retired Officer Sergeant Ed Freeman and Retired
Officer Ray Miller. They were the senior officers when I first
came on.
In addition to these
two officer I really admire the new young officers showing their enthusiasm
with good cases and taking interests in firearms training.
Retirement Goals? 2.5
years to go.....I really never consider retirement I am not
anxiously awaiting retirement. When I do, I want to spend time with
my family.
Favorite dog? Labradors
Hunting or Fishing?
Hunting!.
Is it hard to keep professional when
an offender is upset? No, It poses a
challenge to the officer. I sometimes have to focus a bit more but
find my way to rise to the occasion.
What factors do you consider when
exercising discretion? Certainly I
consider how the violator perceives their offense. If they express
no concern for their actions a citation in more appropriate. I
feel it appropriate to give breaks on some violations. I feel 90%
of the people are good people just using some poor judgment.
What is the easiest and hardest part
of the job? The easiest part is going to
work everyday. The hardest part is arresting someone you know or
are related to. I have had to arrest my nephew for no plug in his
shotgun. It makes for a tough family dinner but I have to treat
him just like I treat everyone else.
Has the community been supportive? I don't think I could get better support. We
rarely get complaints. People share their concerns with me
directly. The county courts have been great with prosecution.
Ever get your car / truck stuck? HELL YES- If you haven't got you truck stuck
- you are not working.
How do you want the Conservation
Police to improve in the next 5 years? I would
like to see good contract negotiations. I would like to keep
parity with State Police. I would also like to maintain
professionalism with training, pay, quality, education. I would
like to see the department better when I leave then when I came in.
What type of person makes a good CPO? A
person with love for the outdoors and interest in protecting the
resource of our state.
What is the most frequently asked
questions? The most frequently asked
question is
HOW
TO TRANSPORT YOUR FIREARMS LEGALLY.
What message would you like to leave
the outdoor public? I would like to see
everyone enjoy the resources Illinois has to offer. In addition I
would like to see them enjoyed SAFELY. There is nothing more important
in the field, stream, timber, or sky then going home safely.
Have a question for a CPO just email us or visit
"ASK
a CPO discussion"
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