An avid support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, former Peoria County Sheriff Michael McCoy co-founded the annual Memphis to Peoria St. Jude run in 1982. McCoy (left to right) is joined in a recent run by Chris Smith, treasurer, St. Jude Runs Assoc.; Rick Shadyac, ALSAC CEO; Mike Beck, St. Runs co-coordinator. (Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Peoria County’s 55th sheriff will soon assume serve as police chief for the City of Washington. Former sheriff Michael D. McCoy, 68, will be sworn into office by Washington Mayor Gary Manier on June 30.

“I think he’s going to bring a lot of energy and credibility to the department,” Manier said. “We’re looking forward to him taking office, and we’re very fortunate to hire him.”

Former Washington police chief Don Volk resigned April 30, 2016 to run against incumbent Manier in the 2017 mayoral race. Both ran as Republicans, and Volk was defeated by Manier in the Feb. 28 primary.

Former East Peoria Police Chief Ed Papis was appointed as Washington’s interim police chief, but

Former Peoria County Sheriff Michael D. McCoy will now serve as police chief for the City of Washington beginning on June 30.
(Photo courtesy Peoria County Sheriff’s Office)

stepped down at the end of 2016. The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund limits the number of hours Papis may work as interim, and he was nearing that limit.

Former City of Pekin interim Police Chief Ted Miller took over for Papis Jan. 1, 2017 as interim chief, and the city began vetting a permanent candidate. Manier said he jokingly suggested over dinner recently that McCoy apply for the position, but he didn’t really believe the former sheriff would take up the offer.

Instead, he expected McCoy, along with Tazewell County Sheriff Bob Huston, to help with the hiring process by reviewing and calling applicants; a process with which both Huston and McCoy were familiar.

“They had helped previously, so I called McCoy and told him Friday was the deadline for applicants, and he said, ‘Have them dropped off at my office and I’ll go through them,’ ” Manier said. “Then, a day before the deadline he called and said, ‘You and I need to talk.’ ”

“By sheer numbers, it may be a more attractive position. In Peoria County, he has about 72 officers, 160-some vehicles,” Manier said. “Plus, I’d like to think he was attracted to come to a great community and serve.”

McCoy began his career with the Beardstown Police Department then became a Peoria County correctional officer in 1972. A 1976 graduate of the FBI National Academy, he served as Peoria

Heights’ police chief from 1979-86, followed by an eight-year stint as a corporate security director.

He then returned to Peoria County in 1994 as chief deputy and was appointed Peoria County sheriff in 2002.

An avid proponent of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, McCoy co-founded the annual Memphis to Peoria St. Jude run in 1982. The event has since raised more than $40 million for the organization. The 465-mile run begins at St. Jude in Memphis and ends at its Peoria affiliate.

He currently is President of the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Board of Directors.

He also sits on the Center for Prevention of Abuse Advisory Council, and is a member of the State of Illinois FBI Associates, the Children’s Home Foundation Board. He also is the FBI National Academy State President.

McCoy could not be reached for comment, as he is attending a St. Jude organizational meeting in Tennessee.

Washington resident Megan Kiper said she looks forward to seeing a permanent police chief in Washington, and believes McCoy’s appointment comes as a pleasant surprise.

“I am a big supporter of local police, and everything they do for the community,” Kiper said. “Mike McCoy has a great reputation, and we happily open the door to him.”

–Peoria sheriff moves on to be Washington chief–