The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joshua Smith and Matthew Link are first cousins. Their mothers, Pamela Smith of Burlington (Larry and Patricia Smith of LaHarpe) and Cindy (John) Link of Media, are sisters. They share maternal grandparents, Kendall and Shirley Furniss of Media.
Joshua Smith, a 1998 graduate of Union High School, began his career in law enforcement in September of 2000 at the Henderson County Jail.
Josh served as a dispatcher/jailer for over four years, was a member of the Sheriff’s Auxiliary, and was a deputy for a short time. While working in Henderson County, Josh also served as a part-time police officer in Carthage.
Josh then moved on to the Lewistown, IL Police Department in 2005, and then to the Warsaw Police Department the same year. In 2008, Josh was hired as a Deputy Sheriff at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. Josh was promoted to Chief Deputy in June 2021 for current Sheriff Travis Duffy.
Josh resides in Warsaw with his wife, Melinda, and three children, Kyle (16), Evan (14), and Maci (11).
Josh also serves as Assistant Coach for the Nauvoo-Colusa Junior High baseball team and the West Hancock High baseball team. He also serves as the Republican Precinct Committeeman for Warsaw’s third ward.
Matthew Link is a 1999 graduate of Southern High School and a 2001 graduate of Southeastern Community College with an Associates degree in Political Science.
Matt began his career in law enforcement in July of 2001 at the Henderson County Jail. He was hired by Retired Sheriff Mark Lumbeck as a telecommunicator/jailer and was a member of the Sheriff’s Auxiliary.
In August of 2002, Matt was hired on as a Henderson County Deputy, receiving his Law Enforcement certificate in December of 2002 from the University of Illinois Police Training Unit.
In December of 2010, upon the election of Retired Sheriff Steven Haynes, Matt was promoted to the position of Investigator/Detective.
In 2019, under Sheriff Steven Haynes, Matt was promoted to the position of Chief Deputy. After Sheriff Donald Seitz’s election in July of 2020, he was again appointed to the Chief Deputy’s position by Sheriff Seitz.
Matt has resided in Henderson County his entire life, growing up in Media, and now living in rural Biggsville with his wife, Rabeka. The couple have two children: Zac, 21, who is currently employed by Sparrow Millwright of Blandinsville and resides outside of Good Hope, and Addy, 18, who is a Senior at West Central High School at Biggsville.
Matt has alway been active in the community, volunteering for the MST Fire Department since the age of 18, the Stronghurst Ambulance Service, and is currently a volunteer for the Biggsville Fire Department.
Matt also has been an assistant coach for West Central Middle and High School football teams and currently assists the High School football team.
Both cousins say they very much enjoy serving the people in their communities and their jobs as chief deputies, and have especially enjoyed working together in their neighboring counties to assist each other in situations that arise.
Matt said they have shared techniques that make their offices and jobs more efficient including computer issues. This includes setting up 911 where presently Hancock County is accepting Henderson County 911 calls during the transition period. Numerous times the cousins will work together on cases and projects and criminal and domestic activities that involve both counties.
HENDERSON COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY, MATTHEW LINK
HANCOCK COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY, JOSHUA SMITH