Grootens makes run for Adams County Sheriff official

QUINCY – Tony Grootens officially announced his run for Adams County Sheriff Saturday during the opening of the Freedom Fest at Clat Adams Park.

Grootens, a Republican, had informally announced his intentions in other venues, including a meeting at the Quincy Tea Party and he had several blue-shirted supporters walking alongside during this year’s Dogwood Parade.

Grootens has 40 years of experience within the United States Department of Justice, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He has worked in law enforcement in intelligence and homeland security, as well as expertise in building law enforcement coalitions, personnel and budget management, the ability to interact with all levels of personnel, the keen ability to assess risk and to develop and implement strategic plans in the areas of emergency planning and crisis response, and physical and personal security in tactical field operations.

Grootens held leadership roles in the DEA in Springfield, Illinois, Springfield, Missouri, El Paso, Texas, & Anchorage, Alaska. He worked federal drug enforcement efforts in Central Illinois, with cases targeting major criminal enterprises. He developed strategic plans to dismantle large, organized narcotic distribution networks throughout Central Illinois.

He also worked at the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) as Watch Commander, in charge of watch operations of the largest drug enforcement intelligence deconfliction center in the world. He coordinated large drug investigations, both domestically and internationally and supplied ntelligence to a variety of state, local, and federal agencies.

Prior to being a part of the DEA, Grootens worked for 11 years in the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. He is a graduate of QHS, Western Illinois University, Police Training Institute of the University of Illinois, and Drug Enforcement Administration Training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.