From Steven Stovall

Stephenson County Sheriff

To the Editor:

The recent allegations about Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Andrew Schroeder, are false and are lacking in true facts. Andrew Schroeder advised me in October of 2022 that a Chicago area reporter was investigating his past involvement with the Oath Keepers.

The true facts that I learned during my thorough investigation, which took place over 1 year ago, are that in approximately 2010 an Illinois Army National Guard member that Andrew Schroeder served with advised him of a group called the Oath Keepers. This group was reported to Andrew Schroeder to be pro-law enforcement, pro-military, and a way to interact with fellow law enforcement officers and military personnel. Andrew Schroeder received a link to join the group and did so. After approximately 1 year, 2011, Andrew Schroeder changed his email address and had no further contact with the group. During his brief membership Andrew Schroeder never attended any meetings and did not knowingly have any contact with any members.

Over the past year this “reporter” has submitted multiple FOIA requests to Law Enforcement Agencies that Andrew Schroeder has worked for, including the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office. This “reporter” completed his in-depth investigation into Andrew Schroeder’s involvement with the Oath Keepers and uncovered that Andrew Schroeder once changed his Facebook profile picture to Donald Trump’s booking photo.

What the “reporter” failed to report from his FOIA requests was that Andrew Schroeder is a Military Veteran who has proudly served his country, he has a 25+ year career in Law Enforcement that has been nothing short of exemplary, and his service to the community stands for itself.

I denounce the Oath Keepers and all they represent, as does Chief Deputy Andrew Schroeder.