Callahan formally named Grundy County sheriff
By Sarwat S. Ahmad Correspondent January 9, 2013 1:42PM
Updated: February 15, 2013 6:08AM
The position of recently deceased Grundy County Sheriff Terry Marketti will be filled by his chief deputy, Kevin Callahan.
The Grundy County Board on Tuesday night formally appointed Callahan to the position he had been filling as an interim sheriff in the three weeks since Marketti’s sudden death on Dec. 14.
Coroner John Callahan ruled that Marketti passed away of natural causes while sleeping.
Marketti had been the sheriff since 2004 when he took over after the death of then-Sheriff James Olson.
Callahan was sworn in immediately by Judge Robert C. Marsaglia.
An emotional Callahan found it difficult to speak as he addressed the board and the public.
“I find myself at this point in my career as a result of two losses — two great men, one of whom was my best friend,” Callahan said.
“This is a difficult time for our department. My thoughts and prayers are with the Marketti family.”
Callahan has been with the sheriff’s department for 30 years while Marketti had been with the department for 34 years.
“I’ve had two great leaders before me, and I will continue (like them) to be fiscally responsible and to provide the best service to the residents of Grundy County,” he said.
The county was allowed to appoint a replacement instead of holding a special election since Marketti’s four-year term had less than 24 months remaining, State’s Attorney Jason Helland said. A minimum of 28 months is required in the remainder of a term for a special election to be necessary.
Since Marketti was a Democrat, the position had to be filled by another Democrat. Callahan was nominated by the county’s Democratic Central Committee prior to his formal appointment by the board.
