The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Owner/Publisher
A breath of fresh air. That's what it's all about for Hancock County Sheriff Scott Bentzinger, who is stepping outside the Hancock County Jail and Sheriff's office, away from over 30 years of law enforcement, and moving out into the fresh air of the farming arena with Martin Tractor Inc. (formerly Martin-Sullivan).
Bentzinger will be Service Manager for Martin's John Deere dealership in his hometown of Carthage, one of 13 single-store locations Martin owns and operates across Central and Western Illinois.
Travis Duffy, 46, Carthage, who Bentzinger recently appointed as his Chief Deputy after Jordan Hawes resigned to work in the private industry, will step into the role of Hancock County Sheriff after the County Board makes his appointment official. His duties will begin as Sheriff Bentzinger steps down on Friday, May 28th.
The two men have had a long working relationship together in law enforcement.
Bentzinger, 50, said he began working in law enforcement at the Hancock County jail at age 19 under Sheriff Richard "Dick" Yager.
"I've always found law enforcement interesting and have loved serving the people of Hancock County."
He cited the reason for the change now as the right age for a career change, and feels the current changes in Illinois laws in the new crime bill that will go into effect will make it difficult for him to perform his duties in a way he feels is best for Hancock County citizens.
"I want to make the change now rather than four years down the road while I am still young enough for a new career," he explained.
Bentzinger waited to make his announcement after he went Online and applied for the opening of Service Manager at Martin, the local John Deere dealership. He had uncertainty if he would be qualified after a long career in law enforcement, but he said, at Martin they thought his position overseeing 11 deputies, and a dozen or so working as dispatchers, cooks, jailers and administrators, he was more than qualified to manage their service department while also working with customers.
The Martin website explains in a video about their company that, "John Deere trusts Martin, and we've learned exactly how to lend distinction to this honor," tells Ben Rogers, current owner whose great grandfather Sam Martin began the Martin John Deere dealership 95 years ago in Roanoke. Sam later was helped by his five sons in the business and now grandson Rogers tells that two things have remained strong, Martin and John Deere, so he bought the dealership, changing the Martin-Sullivan logo back to Martin and has expanded from 4 to 13 locations with plenty of inventory at their store for farmers to see, and top technicians in the shops and in the fields to help the farmer. "We back up our quality equipment with employees that are not selected solely for their ability, but also, for their strength of character…the same consistent, well-trained faces you've come to rely on."
Many around the county have voiced their sadness on seeing Bentzinger step down as sheriff.
One businessman said, I don't think he knows how highly thought of he is as a sheriff or if people know how much he does for business owners and others in the county. He has given such support.
It would take a special person to keep that balance as law enforcement officer, and friend, and to keep a level head and balance in life. Bentzinger has shown he can do all that, do what is right to protect the residents by working to stop the corruption, and he had the law to stand behind him.
Bentzinger has his doubts about this new crime bill that just passed, and more legalization of drugs. "It will be more difficult to help the victim with the added elimination of posting bond. It's not good for society," Bentzinger said.
"I've been happy to do the job up to this point, and personally, I've loved working for the citizens of Hancock County. I feel blessed and honored… but I feel it's the right time," he said. (referring to now, before the new laws go into effect).
Of course, it is bittersweet after leaving the fast pace of law enforcement and the constant training and meetings that goes along with it, but Sheriff Bentzinger is looking forward to working with the public in the private sector, "and how much better can it be than to be working in Carthage where I live!"
In talking about some of his bigger challenges as Sheriff over his 10 years, he said losing two states attorneys who you've revered throughout your career was hard - Jim Drozdz and then Jason Pohren.
Three emotional and frivolous homicides were 19 year old Maddie Finch murder in La Harpe, DeHaven shooting in Pontoosuc, and ongoing homicide in Augusta including having to travel to Augusta, Georgia to retrieve two who were involved.
And the inappropriate behavior of a deputy with a lady in jail where he immediately called in State Police investors which is still being held up by attorneys' litigation.
Some of Bentzinger's accomplishments while Sheriff are:
Sheriff said there is also some alarm systems which come into the dispatcher at the jail such as the water plant, hospital, etc.
They also monitor all 911 calls for Hancock and Henderson Counties.
Right now the jail numbers are high with 30 prisoners, some waiting to go to federal prison at the county's expense.
It's a 24 hour 7 days a week job as sheriff but Bentzinger said he tries to take vacation time leaving his Chief Deputy in charge.
You are not on every call but you oversee what's going on as deputies keep you informed.
Bentzinger said the department is short on staff needing part-time deputies and jail staff, and a part time cook.
Bentzinger is a proud father of two children. Son Ian, age 15 lives with his mother in Carthage, and his married daughter Ashland Anderson, 23 and daughter Ava, 20-months, both live with Bentzinger while Ashland's husband Seebee Tucker Anderson, serves overseas in Korea in the Navy Construction Battalion in the United States Navy.
INCOMING SHERIFF
Travis Duffy has lived in Carthage all his life graduating in 1993 and attending 2 years at Carl Sandburg and two years at WIU with BS in Law Enforcement. Duffy lives by Basco with his wife Jennifer of 17 years this September with three children a daughter at ISU in Bloomington studying to be an English teacher, a 14 year old son attends Nauvoo 8th grade, and 7 year old attends school in Warsaw.
Duffy farmed during the day and supervised the deputies at night but since switching off nights to become Chief Deputy on March 1st, and now Sheriff, he says his 14 year old son is an amazing kid and is taking over chores and helping his dad with the many tasks. It took 3 weeks to consider the offer due to the switch to days after working 19 1/2 years working nights.
Duffy said he worked part time as a patrol deputy for the Carthage Police Dept. in 1998 when Bentzinger was the Carthage Assistant Chief.
As sheriff, he said the on going training keeps you busy and they use Smoken Gun shooting range in Hamilton to do their practice.
Duffy feels the biggest challenge will be the new laws in the crime bill that passed in March.
Now the system is working so he doesn't feel anything will change, but he will tweak it as needed.
The first laws of the new crime bill take effect in July, others will come later.
Finding good hard working good qualified people to be police officers is another challenge. With some turn-overs recently, the sheriff, chief deputy, we lost two good ones due to the changing laws.
Sheriff Scott Bentzinger gives a hand shake and best wishes to his Chief Deputy Travis Duffy who will step up as Sheriff after May 28th. Both men have a long history of law enforcement together.
One of the Sheriff's dispatchers monitors the goings on of the Sheriff's office grounds and at right monitors the courthouse inside and out while also taking dispatch calls from deputies and 911 calls.
Not shown, but on the other side of the room is a doorway into a like room but windows look into jail cells or hallways which has 30 inmates at present. There is a monitoring system to communicate to those in jail. Six of the 30 inmates are women.