Remembering Jim Dunn: a unique figure in law enforcement

James "Jim" Dunn was a unique figure in local law enforcement, and he had the respect and friendship of all he interacted with, whether privately of professionally say those close to him. Dunn, who retired as Saline County Sheriff, passed away on May 28.

Current Sheriff Keith Brown remembers Dunn, as often as not, maintained a friendly manner of interaction even in the process of an arrest.

"I'm not saying that there weren't some situations that got nasty, but Jim was very likely to keep most arrests as friendly as possible," Brown said. "He could chat with a suspect about the suspects last fishing trip during the arrest process. I was working with the State Police when Jim was Sheriff but I knew and respected him. He was a very professional officer."

Another law enforcement officer, a retired multi-year veteran of Saline County law enforcement recalls Dunn as completely apolitical.

"He kept politics out of law enforcement, no one was hands off," the officer stated."He expected you to treat everyone the same."

This officer remembered Dunn as "a great boss" who could be "called anytime for advice or expertise."

"He was a real good guy, I'm going to miss him," this veteran officer said.

Mike Gribble, another veteran of Saline County law enforcement and recent candidate for Saline County Sheriff recalled Dunn's knowledge of the county, the roads' and residents. Gribble and Dunn worked together in the Sheriff's Department and Gribble says Dunn was very much a mentor for him.

"I can't think of anyone who knew Saline County better," Gribble said. "He really helped me learn my way around police work in Saline County. He was a good man and a great Sheriff "

Harrisburg Police Chief Jim Johnson recalls working with Dunn when Johnson was a police intern in 1991 to 1992.

"I worked with him for years," Johnson recalled. "I don't think anyone knew more people Saline county, he was out and about all the time," Johnson said. "He rode around with me and taught me how to get to the areas of the county that you don't usually go to."

Dunn was an avid knife collector and Johnson recalls Dunn's knowledge of his hobby.

"He would take a knife, tap it with his fingernail, flex it a little and then tell you the details about the steel it was made from," Johnson stated. "He could talk for hours about knife blades and the qualities of different grades of steel. I could always count on him to be able to put an edge on any knife or tool I asked him to sharpen for me."

Johnson also recalls Dunn's friendly manner and professionalism as a law enforcement officer.

"He was a friend to everybody and he was a true professional to everybody," Johnson stated.

Dunn attended Dorrisville Baptist Church and was a member of the Saline County Historical Society, the Illinois Sheriff's Association, and was a trustee of the Ebenezer Cemetery Board. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two sons and their wives, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.