Jesse Rouse honored by Elgin Police Department

HARRISBURG - Many people living in Saline County know Jesse Rouse as an artist.

He's painted many scenes of various parts of Saline County communities. His works are depictions of scenes from days gone by and are done strictly from memory.

Some people don't know, though, that during his working career, he put his artistic talents to work for public safety.

Rouse served the Elgin Police Department as a forensic artist for 23 years.

On Wednesday, the Elgin Police Department honored Rouse and his legacy with a heartfelt social media post, complete with a photo of Rouse in police uniform.

From Elgin Police Department:

"As we celebrate Black History Month, we would like to remember the service of Detective Jesse Rouse, badge #60. Detective Rouse began at EPD in 1970 and served through 1996. He was the second Black officer hired here, and the first to retire. He had a distinguished career, as follows:

Forensic artist for 23 years, which included training with the FBI in Quantico, VA.

He was part of the original senior patrol assignment and spent five years as a sworn Community Relations/Crime Prevention officer. He was in the Honor Guard, was a Field Training Officer, and he retired as a detective in the School Resource Officer program."

Rouse said he has good memories from his time on the force, according to a quote he provided to EPD.

"It never seemed like a job, I enjoyed it the entire time. As far as being a Black officer starting at EPD in 1970, I believe that when I left the department it was in a better place than when I started. Being there created an exchange of information, it made for a better understanding between the department and the Black community," Rouse said.

His son, Dan Rouse (badge #224), is also an Elgin police officer, currently as a detective in the Technical Investigations Unit. Dan was hired in 1995; he and his father had overlapping service time.

The post concluded with a statement honoring father and son.

"There has been a Rouse in the Elgin Police Department since 1970. We are proud of, and grateful for, their service to our community," it reads.