St. Clair County Sheriff's Department

St. Clair County sheriff wants to spread the word about BackStoppers

BY JAMIE FORSYTHE - New Athens Journal Messenger

In an effort to spread the word about the nonprofit work done by BackStoppers, St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus has organized an informational meeting open to the public on Tuesday in Belleville.

"I feel that a lot of people hear about BackStoppers once in a while," said Justus, who sits on the organization's advisory board, "but there aren't a lot of people out there who know all the good that they do. We want to get the word out."

BackStoppers was formed in 1959 in St. Louis to help widows and children of fallen police officers and firefighters.

"They take care of families of police and fire officers who are killed in the line of duty," Justus said.

The nonprofit organization now encompasses 10 counties in both Missouri and Illinois, including Madison and St. Clair counties.

Justus explained the assistance varies from money to cover funeral expenses to taking over payments for home mortgages to covering college tuition for children.

"I've known them to still do things for widows whose husband was killed 25 years ago," Justus said.

In addition, BackStoppers also began assisting families of law enforcement personnel and firefighters who have received catastrophic injuries. "They do that on a case-by-case basis," Justus said.

The informational meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bel-Air Bowl at 200 South Belt West in Belleville.

BackStoppers Executive Director Ronald Battelle, a retired chief of St. Louis County Police Department, is expected to attend, along with other board members.

For more information, contact the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office at 277-3505, ext. 5722.

BND.COM

Scholarships available from St. Clair, Madison County sheriff

The Illinois Sheriff's Association will award more than $52,000 in college scholarships in Illinois this year.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl J. Justus and Madison County Sheriff Robert J. Hertz will each award a $500 scholarship to a full-time Illinois student.

The scholarships can be used toward tuition, books and fees at a certified institute of higher learning in Illinois.

The student must be a resident of Illinois and be enrolled full-time to be eligible for the scholarship.

Students should submit their applications by March 13 to the sheriff's office located in their permanent county of residence.

Applications for the scholarship are available at the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department at 700 N. Fifth St. in Belleville from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday; and at the Madison County Sheriff's Office at 405 Randle St. in Edwardsville from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The application also is available online at www.ilsheriff.org.

Sheriff Justus’ and concealed carry of firearms by law abiding citizens

As Sheriff of St. Clair County I, and most of the sheriff’s in Illinois, support the concealed carry of firearms by our law abiding citizens.

I believe to be successful the key to concealed carry is training. If we allow concealed carry, we must make sure only the right people have the guns. This is best done by requiring training, proper identification, and a thorough background check – including a mental evaluation. If this is done, our citizens will have the right to concealed carry, but the those who can't pass a background check or cannot successfully complete a training program will not be legally able to obtain a permit.

As a law enforcement officer with over 54 years of service it is my opinion that anyone wishing to carry a concealed handgun, for their personal protection, must participate in a training course. This training must include both classroom and practical components during which the applicant fires the weapon for the purpose of demonstrating safety and proficiency. The training should include

· firearm mechanics and terminology

· concealed carry legislation and limitations

· liability issues

· carry methods and safety

· home defense, methods for managing and defusing confrontational situations

· practice of gun handling techniques without firing the weapon

· live fire qualification to demonstrate proficiency with a firearm

Over 48 states now have some form of concealed carry. It has been shown over and over allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun causes a drop in crime rates. Law-abiding citizens have demonstrated they can safely and responsibly carry concealed firearms.

In today’s society the good guys should be able to protect themselves and their families.

The Sheriff would like to hear your views on this subject. You can send him a message here.