Dispatch audio captures response to Charlie Kirk assassination, search for suspect

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

OREM, Utah - Conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at a speaking event in Utah Wednesday in an apparent political assassination. It happened around 12:23 p.m. on the campus of Utah Valley University located in Orem, Utah where Kirk was hosting hundreds of students for a scheduled event on his … Continue reading Dispatch audio captures response to Charlie Kirk assassination, search for suspect

Retiring chief defends police department’s handling of murder investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - Less than one month before retiring from the Rock Falls Police Department, Chief David Pilgrim wants to set the record straight on an investigation resulting in the dismissal of first-degree murder earlier this year. Pilgrim has been with the Rock Falls Police Department since 2001. He was appointed Chief in early … Continue reading Retiring chief defends police department’s handling of murder investigation

Rock Falls Police Chief to announce retirement amid fallout from flawed investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - Rock Falls Police Chief David Pilgrim is soon expected to announce his retirement amid the fallout from a flawed investigation earlier this year. Click here to see an update to this story. More than one alderman told me Pilgrim notified city council of his decision last week. Pilgrim has been with … Continue reading Rock Falls Police Chief to announce retirement amid fallout from flawed investigation

First-degree murder charge dropped for Rock Falls man after flawed investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - A first-degree murder charge in connection to a fatal stabbing in Rock Falls was dismissed after details of a flawed investigation conducted by police were revealed during pretrial. Click here to see an update to this story. https://kylejbales.com/2025/09/03/retiring-chief-defends-investigation-resulting-in-dismissed-first-degree-murder-charge/ Kyle Cooper, 36, of Rock Falls, was set to stand trial on one … Continue reading First-degree murder charge dropped for Rock Falls man after flawed investigation

Suspect arrested for the murder, kidnapping of Trudy Appleby

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MOLINE, Ill. - A man has been charged for the murder of Trudy Appleby 29 years after her disappearance. On Aug. 21, 1996, Appleby was 11 years old when she was last seen near her Moline home where witnesses saw her getting into the passenger side of an older model, gray vehicle driven by an … Continue reading Suspect arrested for the murder, kidnapping of Trudy Appleby

Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The criminal case against a former deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle is continued for 90 days. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, appeared in court Friday for a pretrial status hearing alongside defense attorney Joe Nack. Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn represented the State. Herpstreith faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide … Continue reading Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

Coroner identifies 2 dead after crash near Princeton Thursday night

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

BUREAU COUNTY, Ill. - Two are dead after a two-vehicle crash near Princeton Thursday. https://videopress.com/v/CIbue3h9?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Emergency crews and the Bureau County Coroner on scene of fatal crash near Princeton. It happened just outside of Princeton shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday on county road 2400 E just north of Route 6. On Friday, the Bureau County … Continue reading Coroner identifies 2 dead after crash near Princeton Thursday night

State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A letter sent from the Illinois Department of Public Health says a local EMS organization identified violations in connection to an off-duty paramedic on the day Jackson Kradle was killed. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) declined to comment further about the case but did confirm the … Continue reading State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A small town attorney and a rural Illinois county coroner secured a homicide verdict through an inquest into the death of Jackson Kradle more than two months before any criminal charges were filed. Watch Part 2 of 'Not On My Watch' https://youtu.be/I-cRKsCQBv0?si=0Xo0f73CPC18T49v In the early morning hours of July 28, 2024, … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

State’s Attorney: Officers’ use of force in Savanna pursuit last month was justified

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - Carroll County State's Attorney Aaron Kaney announced Thursday that the officers' use of force in a pursuit ending in Savanna last month was justified. Kaney says four law enforcement officers fired their gun near the intersection of Webster Street and Main Street in Savanna on the morning of June 26, which resulted … Continue reading State’s Attorney: Officers’ use of force in Savanna pursuit last month was justified