Meet your neighbor, Hancock County Sheriff Scott Michael Bentzinger of Carthage.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Christy Kienast-The Quill
Meet your neighbor, Hancock County Sheriff Scott Michael Bentzinger of Carthage.
Scott was born to Michael and Bonnie Scott Bentzinger in San Francisco, California. He came back to Carthage as a baby and has lived here his entire life.
His parents live in Carthage. His mother Bonnie works at County Market and owns the Crystal Ball Roller Rink. His dad Mike is self- employed and owns Bentzinger Electric in Carthage.
Scott is the oldest of three children. His brother Steve lives in Carthage and works for the Carthage Water Department. Little sister Jonni, works at a daycare in Carthage and helps mom at the skating rink.
Scott is the uncle to a niece, two year old Kaylee and a nephew, Alex.
Scott's grandparents are John and Millie Scott (both deceased), who owned the Crystal Ball Roller Rink and Don and Ruth Bentzinger who own the Home Supply Store in Carthage.
Scott graduated from Carthage High School in 1989 and was a member of the Class A State Runner-up Football team. He went on to Carl Sandburg College and the University of Illinois for police training. He is a graduate of the Northwestern Traffic Institute Executive Management Program, and the FBI Midwest Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, as well as many other seminars.
Scott's wife Tammy works at the courthouse and is from the Nauvoo area. Together they have two children, Ashland who attends school at Carthage Junior High and Ian who attends Carthage Elementary.
Scott's career in Law Enforcement began when he worked at the jail in 1990 and in 1993 he started working full time as a patrolman for the City of Carthage. From patrolman he worked his way up to Assistant Chief and served as interim chief when the chief was sick.
In December of 2000, Scott came to work at the Hancock County Sheriff's office as the jail administrator under Sheriff John Jefferson. In September 2007 he became the Chief Deputy. On July 1, 2011, Scott became the Hancock County Sheriff. Scott has served the citizens of Hancock County for 21 years.
His hobbies include roller skating, fishing and camping with the kids. And he says, "I like to work! I love my job."
Scott is a member of the Carthage Kiwanis, has served 10 years as a volunteer of the Carthage Clipper Volunteer Fire Department. He also served for 4 years on the Carthage City Council.