State trooper who helped sex trafficking victim, firefighter who rescued farmer from grain bin honored at Exchange Club luncheon

QUINCY — Trooper Jarred Hester was on patrol in Hancock County for the Illinois State Police on Dec. 19 when he saw a young female walking along the side of the road at 2 o’clock in the morning.

He learned she had been the victim of aggravated domestic battery, and he suspected she was a victim of sex trafficking. Hester summoned medical care and later arranged for the woman to be placed at a women’s shelter in Quincy. He helped petition for an order of protection for the woman and helped her find safety with her family in Utah. He also assisted in the investigation to find and arrest the offender.

For his efforts, Hester received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during the 56th annual Quincy Exchange Club’s Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon on Friday at the Elks Club. Also recognized were:

• Lt. Casey Otten with the Tri-Township Fire Department as the Firefighter of the Year;
• Sandy Behl, system coordinator with the Quincy Area EMS System, as the EMS Professional of the Year; and 
• Randy Collins, a Quincy Police auxiliary volunteer, posthumously selected as the Citizen of the Year.

Hester: One of the most satisfying moments in my life

Hester, who started his career with the Illinois State Police in April 2019, couldn’t talk about the specifics of the case because the investigation continues. 

“There were several indicators that told me the situation wasn’t right,” he said. “We monitored it closely until we reached a point that we are at now. When it comes to human trafficking, it’s a very complex crime that unfortunately we’re seeing more and more, even in our area. 

“I don’t want to undersell it, but it might be one of the most satisfying moments in my life. That’s not because of anything I did. It’s because of the teamwork and effort of all the systems that were in place to help this young lady.”

“His motivation and dedication to go above and beyond the call of duty cannot be overstated,” Adams County sheriff Rich Wagner said of Hester.

Hester has been in law enforcement for about eight and a half years. He received the Hancock County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in 2020.

Otten helped rescue farmer trapped inside grain bin near Palmyra

Otten helped rescue a farmer trapped inside a grain bin near Palmyra.

“I knew we had Quincy Fire Department going over there, and we also had the Hannibal Fire Department,,” Otten said. “There were lots of people coming to the same place, so I knew we had a good team there. We had a lot of good support. When you’re inside the bin doing things, a lot of guys on the outside who get things set up and take care of the safety stuff don’t always get the recognition. 

“It was definitely an exciting and kind of nerve-wracking moment, but there wasn’t really any time where I felt like we were in a bad spot and we weren’t going to be able to get him out.”

Otten started with Tri-Township in January 2007.

“(Otten) gives a brighter meaning to the word contagious,” Tri-Township chief Tom Bentley said. “He continually displays a work ethic that is contagious to all of those around him. You could not ask for a better role model. If you know (him), then you know the example he sets for others.”

Behl served as instructor for 168 graduated paramedics

Behl started in the EMS field in the early 1980s, working as a paramedic in Marion County. She made the move to Blessing Hospital in the mid-1990s, working as a nurse in the emergency department, before joining the Quincy Area EMS system in 1997. She became the instructor of the paramedic program, and during the past 24 years, Behl has graduated 168 paramedics.

Adams County EMS chief John Simon, who presented the award to Behl, returned a “suggestion whistle” she gave him when he was a student of hers in 1998.

“Sandy was an awesome teacher,” Simon said. “She taught us to be confident and courageous. … She taught us to be compassionate caregivers — how to talk to people, how to calm them and sometimes how to calm yourself when crap is hitting the fan. She made us fail in the classroom so we never failed when it really mattered with real patients. She taught us to be leaders, fostering growth of others through our knowledge, skills and experiences.”

“EMS is my passion,” Behl said. “I’ve always enjoyed all the teaching that I’ve done. I’m just very happy to be a small part of these people’s lives.”

Collins served Quincy Police auxiliary unit for more than 20 years

Collins began his career in volunteerism with the Quincy Police Department in 1996. He joined the Quincy Police auxiliary unit, receiving his first appointment in April 1997, and served the unit for more than 20 years. He logged countless hours of community service officer work and many more hours on assigned details at community events like the Grand Prix of Karting, Gus Macker basketball, the Knights of Columbus barbecue and countless parades, 

“Randy loved everything law enforcement, public health and public safety related,” said Steve Salrin, deputy chief with the Quincy Fire Department. “During his time with the auxiliary police unit, Randy served as an officer sergeant and lieutenant. He took pride in training new members to the unit. He always was ready to drop whatever he was doing to help out. 

“Even after losing his driver’s license for a period because of health reasons, Randy’s volunteer spirit never waned. He would arrange a ride so he could be at his assigned details. In the rare instance he could not find a ride, Randy would walk sometimes miles in his uniform to honor his commitment.”

Collins died Dec. 24 in Quincy at age 62. His sister, Robin Mulvey of Elkton, S.D., and brother, Joe Collins of Raymond, S.D., received the award on his behalf.

“His interest in law enforcement and emergency work probably started when he was just a young kid watching that show, ‘Emergency!’,’” Mulvey said. “Even when his health started going badly, my brother and I tried to get him to move (to South Dakota) and we would take care of what he needed. But he wouldn’t hear of it, because this was his home. Thank you for making him feel at home. I know he loved it.”