Sheriff’s Dept. promotes from within its own ranks

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Belvidere Daily Republican
Chief Deputy Perry Gay, Sheriff Ernest, Lt. Scott Yunk, and Sgt. Ryan Smith at the Promotion Ceremo-ny.

On Friday, April 27, the next chapter of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office began. With the retirement of Chief Deputy Mark Pollock, Boone County Sheriff David Ernest named Perry Gay as Chief Deputy; Scott Yunk as Lieutenant; Ryan Smith as Sergeant, and announced several other new assignments.

Perry Gay, a 34-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, will serve as the department’s second-in-command. Gay started his law enforcement career with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer in 1984. Through the years, Gay moved up the ranks, from deputy, detective, sergeant, and his current position of lieutenant. Gay is a 2005 graduate of the world-renowned FBI National Academy. Gay will primarily oversee courthouse security as well as other administrative duties assigned to him by the Sheriff such as policy review, policy development, grants, etc.

Scott Yunk, a 29-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, will serve as the department’s Lieutenant of Operation. Yunk started his law enforcement career with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in 1988. Through the years, Yunk moved up the ranks and had many responsibilities, which include detective, patrol sergeant, emergency management coordinator, and his current position of sergeant of investigations. Yunk is a 2017 graduate of the distinguished Northwestern University Staff and Command. Yunk’s primary responsibility as Operations Lieutenant will be overseeing the patrol and detective divisions.

Ryan Smith, an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Smith started his law enforcement career with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in 1999. Through Smith’s career, he has served as an investigator for the Northern Illinois Auto Theft Taskforce, a detective and his current position of school resource officer for Belvidere North. Smith will oversee a patrol division on the night shift.

The promotional ceremony for all three officers was held on Friday, April 27, at 10 a.m. at the Belvidere/Boone County Public Safety Building located at 615 North Main Street, Belvidere.