New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

GALESBURG, Ill. - A second autopsy for a man found dead in a Galesburg drainage ditch in 2018 uncovered a new cause of death, but remains sealed from the public on the seventh anniversary of his death. https://kylejbales.com/2026/04/30/tyler-smith-part-two/ Tyler Smith, 23, was reported missing in Galesburg on the morning of Sep. 15, 2018, after he … Continue reading New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

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

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

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

‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A family and community were rocked one year ago after an 18-year-old Mt. Carroll man was found dead in the road. Parade in Shannon, Ill. (Janessa Anderson) The man who died was 2024 West Carroll High School graduate Jackson Kradle, who had recently turned 18 when he was struck and killed … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Suspect involved in Savanna shooting, pursuit was granted pretrial release 3 days prior

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - The suspect involved in a pursuit-turned-shooting with police in Savanna last week was granted pretrial release on a previous charge three days prior to the incident. Mark Feltmeyer, 59, of Freeport, who was shot by officers in Savanna after leading them on a multi-county pursuit last week, was booked into the Stephenson … Continue reading Suspect involved in Savanna shooting, pursuit was granted pretrial release 3 days prior

Galena police officer pleads Not Guilty to child pornography charges, jury trial set this summer

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

FREEPORT, Ill. - A Galena police officer arrested and charged for allegedly possessing child pornography in May pleaded Not Guilty earlier this month with a jury trial set for later this summer. Officer Eli Barthel, 23, of Freeport, is charged with multiple felonies including two counts of Possession of Child Pornography with the Victim Under … Continue reading Galena police officer pleads Not Guilty to child pornography charges, jury trial set this summer

Judge finds probable cause in case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - A judge found sufficient probable cause to proceed in the case against a former Carroll County deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle after the lead investigator was cross-examined by the prosecution and defense during Friday's preliminary hearing. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide and Obstructing … Continue reading Judge finds probable cause in case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle

Federal lawsuit alleges Mt. Carroll, Carroll County officers violated man’s Fourth Amendment rights

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - A lawsuit filed in federal court in late April accuses officers of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Mt. Carroll Police Department of violating a Mt. Carroll man's Fourth Amendment rights when they allegedly entered his home without a warrant and arrested him. According to the complaint filed on April 30 … Continue reading Federal lawsuit alleges Mt. Carroll, Carroll County officers violated man’s Fourth Amendment rights