Patrick Jones, Joliet resident is running for Will County Sheriff in the upcoming Democratic primary on March 17, 2026, with a platform that promises reform and accountability. He believes that his candidacy offers a meaningful opportunity to improve community safety while upholding the rule of law.
The 50-year-old divorced father of four adult children said his 24 years of experience with the Will County Sheriff’s Department has more than qualified him to become the next elected Sheriff.
“I was born and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, (the same area that brought us Chicago’s first Black Mayor, Harold Washington).
“I moved to Will County 28 years ago, when I took a job in Romeoville in the Montgomery Ward warehouse. Thank God that I applied with the Will County Sheriff’s office to become a Corrections Officer, because Montgomery Ward wound up going bankrupt.”
Jones has spent 24 years with the Sheriff’s Department, working at the jail as a Corrections Officer, to working in uniform as a Patrol Officer.
“I’ve been a Crime Scene Investigator, I was a SWAT Operator, a SWAT Sniper, I’m currently Assistant Team Leader of our Crisis Negotiation Team, and I hold the rank of Sargeant in the Patrol Division, where I patrol the East Side of Joliet, where I also live.”
If elected Jones would focus on enhancing local law enforcement practices, strengthening relationships between police and residents, and ensuring accountability and transparency.
“My vision for the Sheriff’s Office, is that the Sheriff should be out in the community more; going to community events, figuring out what the problems are, and working to help people to solve those problems. Together we can work to find solutions.”
Jones believes that building a strong partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the community is essential for establishing trust and responding effectively to emergencies.
“By maintaining open communications, we can avoid misunderstandings in the community and foster mutual respect,” Jones said.
“I also believe in Truth and Transparency. Any use of force, with video along with a statement, should be out to the community within 72 hours.”
Jones believes there should be Mental Health programs for Deputies.
“This should have been done years ago. The County has nothing in place. We’ve had three suicides among our officers. One of them was a body that I had to identify.
Jones says he has had his share of traumatizing experiences on the job.
“I was the Investigating Officer in the murder of that 6-year-old Palestinian boy in Plainfield. (73-year- old Joseph Czuba, was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and hate-crime charges in the death of Wadee Alfayoumi and the wounding of his mother, Hanan Shaheen, and sentenced to 53 years in prison.
“I gave the testimony that wound up convicting him,” Jones recalled. “But can you imagine the trauma of seeing that knife imbedded in the body of that six-year-old child. This is the kind of trauma we Deputies deal with throughout our careers. I do not want our personnel going out in the community with that type of baggage. That’s a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.”
In addition to community collaboration, Patrick is committed to improving the Will County Adult Detention Facility. If elected, he plans to provide necessary tools and programs to help incarcerated individuals prepare for a productive life after release.
“This will aid in successful reintegration and lead to a safer community,” Jones said.
Jones added that there should be programs in place to rehabilitate people while they are in jail.
“My mother always said that ‘Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.’ I’ve toured the jails in our neighboring counties, and they all have programs to help detainees to gain jobs when they leave.
“Do we want people to come out of jails as better criminals? Or do we want them to be better citizens and reduce recidivism?”
As Sheriff, Jones believes he could implement programs that are tough on crime, yet, at the same time improve the quality of life in the community.
“There definitely ways that the Sheriff’s Department can have a positive impact on people’s lives. I intend to create programs to make that possible.
“As Sheriff, I will listen first, show up often, and make law enforcement a positive force in every Will County neighborhood.”
Jones is running against Dan Jungles, both are Democrats. whoever wins March 17 will face the Republican who wins which will be Justin Fialko or James Reilly in the November General election.
