The Village of Wharton formally swore in Randy Forbus as a new police officer during its meeting. Chief of Police Sean Darsh introduced Forbus as coming “from the Bureau of Federal Prisons,” noting that Forbus is a LifeZone graduate, lives in Pekka with his fiancée and three children and “is officer number 27.”

During the oath, the clerk administered the official pledge for “a police officer for the village of Morton, County of Tazewell, State of Illinois,” including promises to support the U.S. and Illinois constitutions and to “faithfully discharge the duties of the position of police officer.” Chief Darsh said Forbus is scheduled to attend the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois in Champaign on the first Sunday of the new year.

Council members welcomed Forbus and emphasized retention, with the chief saying the department wants officers to view Wharton as a career with opportunities for advancement. There was no formal council vote tied to the swearing-in; the ceremony was ceremonial and administrative in nature.

The council then moved on to routine business.