Sheriff Mearl Justus has been in Law Enforcement for over 55 years. He started in Law Enforcement in the Village of Cahokia in 1958 and spent 20 years as the Chief of Police there. He then became Sheriff of St. Clair County in 1982. The Sheriff page has his complete biography.
Contact Sheriff Justus at 618-277-3505 x5722 or by email.
Chief Deputy James Lay is the Patrol Commander and holds the rank of Major. He is in charge of the entire Patrol Division which includes Patrol Deputies, Sheriff's Metro Patrol, Criminal Investigation Section, Street Crimes Unit, Drug Tactical Unit and several other Patrol related areas.
Contact Major Lay at 618-277-3505 x 5736 or by email.
Major Thomas Knapp is the Executive Deputy for the Sheriff's Department. Major Knapp is one the true professionals who ensures that operations are running smoothly and securely.
Major Knapp began is career with the Sheriff's Department in 1986 and has served as:
a Correctional Officer
Administrative Assistant beginning in December of 1991
Promoted to Sergeant in March of 1998
Captain/Asst. Jail Superintendent June 2000
Major/Jail Superintendent March 2007
Major/Executive Deputy June 2008
Major Knapp assumed the role of Executive Deputy following the retirement of Major Mel Weith.
Contact Major Knapp at 618-277-3505 x 5721 or by email.
Major Phillip L. McLaurin joined our Department on Monday, April 16, 2007.
McLaurin served 31 years in the United States Air Force and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Upon his retirement he continued to serve in law enforcement and corrections as:
Commissioner of Corrections, City of St. Louis – January 1994 to March 1996
Assistant Warden, Delta Correctional Center, Correctional Corporation of America – June 1996 to September 2002
Assistant Warden, Marion County Jail, Indianapolis, Indiana – September 2002 to May 2005
Educational Counselor, Educational Opportunity Center, SIUE – East St. Louis Campus – May 2005 to March 2007
Major McLaurin has a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
Contact Major McLaurin at 618-277-3505 x 5750 or by email.
Sgt. John Fulton is the Sheriff's Administrative Assistant. He is the Director of the Auxiliary Deputy Association, Advisor to Explorer Post 555, maintains the department's web site and publishes The Badge the department's online newsletter. If you visit John's office you'll see he's quite a bit different from most people in Law Enforcement .
Contact Sgt. Fulton at 618-825- 5788 or by email.
Julie Eversman is the Sheriff's Executive Assistant. She can be contacted at 618-825-5722
Aubrey Demond is the Department's Account Technician. She can be contacted at 618-825-5723
