Williamson, Milhiser Endorse Paula Crouch for Sheriff

Two of Sangamon County’s most influential law-enforcement leaders — former Sheriff Neil Williamson and State’s Attorney John Milhiser — have formally endorsed Sheriff Paula Crouch ahead of the March 17 Republican Primary, praising her experience, leadership, and record of holding violent offenders accountable.

Williamson and Milhiser, who together have decades of service in local and federal law enforcement, said Crouch’s nearly 30-year career in public safety makes her the strongest candidate to continue leading the Sheriff’s Office. Their endorsements highlight her work across multiple divisions, from 911 communications to major case investigations, crisis response, detective work, and leadership roles with the Springfield Police Department.

Williamson said Crouch’s wide-ranging experience and commitment to law and order demonstrate the qualities needed to keep communities safe. “Paula Crouch is exactly the kind of Sheriff Sangamon County needs: tough, experienced, and absolutely committed to keeping violent offenders off our streets,” he said. “She has worked the dispatch center, she has worked the streets, she has led investigations, and she understands every level of this work. Paula has the backbone and the integrity it takes to stand up for victims, work with prosecutors, and put dangerous criminals where they belong.”

Milhiser emphasized Crouch’s focus on accountability and her long history of working closely with prosecutors to protect vulnerable victims and pursue serious offenders. “Paula is a law and order sheriff who stands with victims and works with prosecutors to lock up violent criminals and predators who threaten our families,” he said. “Her leadership at the Sheriff’s Office is exactly what Sangamon County needs. I have worked with Sheriff Crouch throughout her career, including when she was a detective investigating child abuse cases for the Child Advocacy Center. I have seen firsthand how she approaches cases; meticulous, tough, and always driven by what keeps the public safe. Sangamon County is stronger with Sheriff Crouch leading the fight against crime.”

Crouch said she was grateful for the support of both leaders and reaffirmed her commitment to victim advocacy, strong enforcement, and community safety. She referenced her work with the Child Advocacy Center as a driving force in her approach to handling difficult cases and said her priority remains ensuring that predators and violent offenders are held fully accountable.

Her campaign focuses on reducing violent crime, improving emergency response, protecting vulnerable residents, and dedicating resources to investigations that keep dangerous criminals off the streets.

The Republican Primary will be held on March 17, 2026.