Recently-elected Dist. 300 school board member Dennis Cole to run for Perry County Sheriff in 2014

Years ago Dennis Cole, 59, worked under then-Perry County Sheriff Jerry Woolsey as a deputy through the CETA (Comprehensive Employment & Training Act).

It launched a substantial career in Illinois Corrections from which he is now retired.

On Tuesday this lifelong resident of Du Quoin and recently elected Du Quoin District 300 board of education member announced his candidacy for sheriff in the November 2014 general election in Perry County.

Cole did not declare his political party affiliation, but must do so when filing. Petitions in that race can be passed starting Sept. 3 and filing will take place between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2. The primary will be March 18, 2014 and the general election Nov. 4, 2014.

Any candidate can declare any party affiliation they want at the time of filing regardless of how they voted in a previous primary or general election.

At this writing there are four announced candidates: incumbent Keith Kellerman, deputy Steve Bareis and retired deputy Gale Reidelberger.

Cole and wife Marsha have been married for over 30 years and have three children. He is retired from DOC having worked at the Menard Correctional Center and retiring from the Pinckneyville Correctional Center.

Under Sheriff Woolsey he was graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy and is a DOC academy graduate. At Menard he was a writ officer, firearms instructor, first aid and CPR training instructor and for four years was a DOC hostage negotiator.

He has Level E training for high escape risk inmates and death row inmates.

He was promoted and transferred to Pinckneyville Correctional Center as a supply supervisor II where he opened the inmate commissary and clothing house. He worked on payroll, budget and the work schedule, hiring and termination and audit functions.

"I will bring integrity, respectability and hard work to the department for the residents of Perry County and will maintain an open door policy. I will have accountability and moral fortitude," he said.

"I have a strong moral code of ethics," he said.

Cole is a member of the District 300 Board of Education, member of Sacred Heart Church, the Du Quoin Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.