James Reed

Sheriff James Reed is a lifelong resident of Bureau County. He was born in Spring Valley and grew up in Ladd. Reed is a graduate of Hall High School in Spring Valley and the Illinois Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois in Champaign. 

Sheriff Reed began his law enforcement career in 1990 as a patrolman for the Village of Ladd. Reed also worked part-time for the City of Princeton. He began his career at the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office in 1991. Reed has served the Sheriff’s office for the last 33 years as a radio operator, corrections officer, courthouse security officer, patrol deputy, investigator, firearms instructor, sergeant for patrol, and Sheriff. He is a certified Master Firearms Instructor through the Illinois Police Training Institute and a certified FBI Firearms Instructor. 

In 2002 Reed was assigned to the Illinois State Police District 17/Zone 3 Task Force, a multiple jurisdiction task force responsible for investigating narcotics related crimes in the tri-county area. During his assignment there, Reed assisted in several hundred narcotics cases and arrests in Bureau, LaSalle, and Putnam counties. During that assignment, Reed was presented the Illinois State Police Meg Directors and Task Force Commanders Association award as the case agent for an investigation that resulted in a large seizure of cocaine. 

Reed was elected Bureau County Sheriff in 2014. He pledged to consolidate the efforts of law enforcement entities within the county to be more efficient in investigating and solving crimes. He has worked closely with the Bureau County Board to improve radio communications and update equipment for the safety of the deputies and residents. Reed’s command staff worked with the Bureau County Board and Architects from the BKV Group to design and build a much needed new jail and sheriff’s office. The Bureau County Law Enforcement Center. located at 800 Ace Road opened in March of 2023. “I cannot thank my staff, our community. and our county board enough for helping us get this much need project completed.” 

The Sheriff’s top priorities are to improve and expand efforts in combating the current drug issues in our community and provide a proactive and progressive service of law enforcement to the citizens of Bureau County. 

“I believe the residents of Bureau County should be able to feel secure about their personal safety and property, and it is our responsibility as a Sheriff’s Office to promote that sense of security.” -Sheriff Jim Reed