Former Galva policeman throws hat into sheriff ring

Terry Cooper of Kewanee has announced he is an independent candidate for Henry County Sheriff in the November election.

He will face current Henry County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Padilla, of Kewanee, who is the Republican candidate for the office, and Annawan Police Chief Tim Wise, the Democratic candidate.

Cooper graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1966 and served in the Air Force from 1967-71. He served in Thailand and Guam during the Vietnam War as a member of a B-52 bomber ground support team.

He has been a police officer in Galva and Sheffield, was a Kewanee Park District police officer, and has served with the Kewanee Auxiliary Police for 22 years. He received law enforcement training through Black Hawk East and additional training through local police departments. He was also a member of Storm Watch.

He has been employed at Hyster, International Harvester, and Johnson Oil, drove a semi for 10 years, and for the past five years has been employed at FCA Manufacturing, LLC, in Princeville. For nine years he was assistant manager of the electrical department at Menard’s in Kewanee.

He and his wife, Frances, have been married for 38 years. They have two grown children, a daughter and son.

He is an ordained priest in the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a member of the Geneseo branch of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Cooper said he decided to run for sheriff because he wants to “get law enforcement back to the people.” He wants citizens to be the eyes and ears of the sheriff’s office and local departments.

He would like to see more of a team effort from the sheriff’s department and closer contact with rural residents, local governments and small communities.