He was born August 15, 1945 in Decatur to Ralph and Dorothy (Slaght) Beaman.
Surviving are one daughter, Christine M. (Ron) Arnold of Pekin; one son, Trey W. (Brandy) Kampmeier of Pekin; five grandchildren, Miranda K. Arnold, Kyle Arnold, Dalton Arnold, Jordan Arnold and Joseph Kampmeier; and one brother, Glen R. (Shirley) Beaman of Bloomington.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Sharon received her education from the Sangamon State University in Springfield. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Justice. She later earned a Master's Degree in Social Work, specializing in Child Welfare, from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.
Sharon started her extensive work history working as a police and fire radio dispatcher for the Decatur, Washington and East Peoria Police Departments from 1967 to 1974. She answered the phone and dispatched appropriate emergency personnel, operated a LEADS terminal, typed officers' report from a Dictaphone, acted as maton on drug raids, and booked prisoners.
Next, she worked as a Patrol and Juvenile Officer for the Washington Police Department from 1974 to 1982. She conducted criminal and traffic investigations, worked with the Department of Children and Family Services on all child abuse investigations within Washington, developed protocols for shoplifting, juvenile arrests and DUI arrests. She was the 1st Juvenile officer, and was trained in juvenile law, breathalyzer operation, criminal and drug investigations. She co-founded a substance abuse prevention program aimed at youth in the community, which was named Tough Love in Washington. That program won a Governor's Home Town Award in 1982.
She then worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from 1982 to 2002, holding the titles of Lead Child Protective Investigator, Hotline Worker and Public Service Administrator. Her responsibilities included conducting child abuse and neglect investigations for seven years, worked at Hotline for four years to screen calls made regarding Possible abuse or neglect allegations, supervised Hotline workers, caseworkers and investigators for a total of eight years and eight months. She made dozens of presentations in the community regarding child abuse and neglect during the twenty years she was employed at DCFS.
She then worked from 2002 until retiring in 2008 for the Knox County State's Attorney as the Executive Director of Knox County Child Advocacy Center. She was responsible for submitting applications and reporting on grants for Center, fundraising, making community education presentations regarding child abuse and the services of the Child Advocacy Center, overseeing bills and developing the budget for Center, organizing training sponsored by Center, coordinating forensic interviews of child sexual abuse victims, conducting most interview, providing support to victim’s families and networking with other professionals in Knox, Warren and Henderson counties.
During her life, she was the recipient of many awards including the Warren Award for Excellence from the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois in 1974; she was chosen as Outstanding Example of Future Police officer by her instructors and classmates; she received the Washingtonian of the Year Award from the Washington Day Banquet Committee in 1982 because of her volunteer work outside her position as a police officer, including co-founding the Tough Love program. She was nominated for Outstanding Women in Criminal Justice by Washington Junior Women's Club in 1982. She also received Commendation for the American Police Hall of Fame for volunteer work in 1982. In 1992, she was the Marshall of Social Justice Program, where she graduated with honors.
In additions to her many awards, she was involved in many local and civil organizations. She was the elected Secretary/Treasurer of her Police Basic Training Class in 1974. She was a part of the Multi-County Juvenile Officer's League from 1976 to 1987, where she was elected President three times, served as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, & Sergeant-At-Arms. She was elected as Chairman three times after co-founding the Tough Love program in Washington. She also was elected Secretary of the Tazewell County Police Benevolent from 1981 to 1982 and for the Foresters in 2006. She was the Appointed Community Service Chairman for the Pekin Moose Lodge from 2003 to 2005. She served on the Knox County Human Services Council and the Ninth Judicial Circuit Family Violence Council Education Committee since 2003.
Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Liberty Baptist Church in Pekin. Rev. Dr. Timothy Najpaver will officiate. There will be no visitation. Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, 4234 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614 or to the Tough Love Program at P.O. Box 35, Washington, IL 61571.
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