THE FOLLOWING IS A JOHN THOMPSON FOR SHERIFF RELEASE
John W. Thompson, a 19-year veteran of the Danville Police Department, retiring as a Commander in rank, currently the Director of the Vermilion County 911 Center, is announcing his candidacy for Vermilion County Sheriff. Thompson, age 57, is married to Amie Thompson and is the father of two children. A lifetime resident of Vermilion County and native of Oakwood, Illinois, John has served in multiple capacities in addition to the Danville Police Department and brings an array of public service, law enforcement, fire and ambulance service experience.
In addition to his 19 years with DPD, he served many years in the Kickapoo and Oakwood Fire Departments, as well as the Oakwood Ambulance service, three years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, and now has been Director of 911 for four years.
As a Danville Officer rising through the ranks, John served in many leadership capacities from Patrol Police Officer, Sergeant, Narcotics Investigator, Assistant Commander Emergency Response Unit (SWAT), Field Training Officer-Commander, Firearms Instructor, Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Site Safety Supervisor-Instructor, Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Dismantler to Sergeant of the Criminal Investigations Unit, Sergeant of the Problem Oriented Policing (POP Unit) program, to Commander, and retiring as a Commander in rank.
John has always been devoted to public safety and helped design programs, such as the POP unit. These are changing and challenging times for law enforcement and John will bring a new and fresh perspective as Sheriff.
“It is a position I have long considered, and now is the time I want to offer my experience and services. My strength has been finding and programing new and better ways to police our community to provide aggressive and fair law enforcement with integrity and effectiveness. I ask for your vote in the Republican Primary on March 17, 2026.”
