Police
Police Protection
In 1976, the Village entered into its first contract with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, to provide the Village with 24-hour police protection. The Village has entered into a series of follow-up contracts with the Sheriff’s Office since that time.
The Sheriff’s Office provides the Village with five regular police officers on duty working in three shifts. Included are two daytime officers, two evening officers, and one overnight officer, all of whom work staggered shifts to maximize police coverage in the Village. Macon County assumes all liability and equipment costs; also provided are services above the normal patrol needs such as bike patrol. This arrangement is particularly advantageous to the Village as, by terms of the contract, in addition to regular and bicycle patrol, to the extent it may be needed, the Village has access to other Sheriff’s services, including but not limited to: K-9 unit, special detail, detective unit, juvenile detective unit, evidence officer, full-time school resource officer, U.S Marshal services, civil process officers and specially-trained deputies (internal affairs, firearms instruction, dive team, etc.).
2008-2011 Police Contract (208 KB)
Police Department Staff
The officers regularly assigned to the Village include the following:
Chris Bendsen
Deputy
Deputy Bendsen has been employed with the Macon County Sheriff’s Department for the past thirty-one years, having worked all three patrol shifts, in the Macon County Jail, on the warrants team , as a D.A.R.E. officer, a community policing officer, and has assisted in obtaining over one million dollars in federal and state grants. Deputy Bendsen has attended C.I.R.C.L.E training for the past 30 years and is a certified bike officer. Deputy Bendsen has served as the Village’s day officer for the past 4 years. He was born and raised in Decatur, and is a graduate of Eisenhower High School. In addition, Deputy Bendsen attended Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Bendsen served in the United States Army as both a correctional specialist and military police officer. Deputy Bendsen works days for the Village, from 6:40 am to 2:40 pm.
Markes Rodgers
Deputy
Deputy Rodgers is entering his third year as a Forsyth deputy. He has been with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office since 2005. Deputy Rodgers was originally hired as a correctional officer for the Macon County Jail, and was promoted to the deputy position in 2008. In addition to being trained in DUI detection, Deputy Rodgers handles many Forsyth retail-theft cases and is one of the Village’s bicycle-certified officers. Deputy Rodgers was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area and attended San Diego State University. Prior to joining the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Rodgers enjoyed a career as a television news reporter and worked in many states before coming to Illinois in 1999. He is still recognized by many in the community as a former criminal investigative reporter for local television stations WAND and WCIA. Deputy Rodgers credits his time as a reporter for exposing him to the workings of law enforcement which ultimately led him to his current position. Deputy Rodgers works afternoons/evening for the Village, 1:40 pm to 9:40 pm.
Bart Hickey
Deputy
Deputy Hickey has been employed with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy since 2009. Prior to his employment with the Sheriff’s office, he was employed with the DeWItt County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a deputy for six years. Deputy Hickey was born and raised in the Decatur-Warrensburg area, and graduated from Western Illinois University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Deputy Hickey works the overnight shift, 10:40 pm to 6:40 am.
Timothy Houk
Deputy
Deputy Houk has been employed in law enforcement for the past six years, having served with the Warrensburg and Mt. Zion police departments before joining the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. In 2008. Deputy Houk’s special assignments include S.E.T. team members and GRACIE ground fighting tactics instructor. Deputy Houk holds an an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, and is a recipient of the Illinois TOP COP award for DUI enforcement. Deputy Houk joined the Forsyth patrol in 2010. He works night shift for the Village, 5:40 pm to 1:40 am.
Lyndsey Reedy
Deputy
Deputy Reedy has been with the Sheriff’s office since 2008. Deputy Reedy began her work as a correctional officer for the Macon County Jail; after six months, she was assigned to duty in the Village of Argenta. Deputy Reedy began assignment in Forsyth in 2011, and works the night shift, 4:30 pm to 11:40 pm.
Forsyth residents may opt to receive emergency telephone notifications from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. To enroll in this service, click on the following link: www.sheriff-macon-il.us and click on the CodeRED button.
In addition, We encourage Forsyth residents who will be away from their homes to complete the VACATION FORM below and return it to Village Hall. We will see that our patrol deputies are made aware of your absence so that they may pay additional attention to your property while on patrol.
Vacation Notice (18 KB)
^ Back to Top ^