Staff

Meet the Staff

Chief Bowsher

Chief Bowsher joined the Pawnee Police Department on August 1, 1991. She progressed through the ranks and was appointed Acting Chief on August 20, 1996 and officially appointed Chief of Police on January 11, 1997. She holds an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement.

Officer Harris

Officer Harris has been a Police Officer since 1995 and started working with Pawnee in 1996. He grew up in Pawnee and enjoys serving the community. He is now the Fire Arms and Taser Instructor for the Department. He served in the Illinois Army National Guard for 11 years.

On his off time, he enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.

Officer Burnley

Officer Burnley grew up in Morris, IL and after graduating he attended Lincoln Christian College where he met his wife Cara. After being hired by the Pawnee Police Department in 1999 the Burnley's have gone on to have 4 children ranging from babies to teenagers. Officer Burnley has risen to rank of Chief with the Pawnee Fire District which occupies his time away from the Police Department.

Officer Burnley loves this community and has been given opportunities for many hours of training over the years (Juvenile Officer, Critical Incident Trained, CPR/AED Instructor, Radar/Lidar Instructor, Hazmat Instructor, Field Training Officer, Child Passenger Safety Seat Tech, Crime Scene Tech, K9 Handler, Arson Investigator).

He spent the last school year working as a School Resource Officer along with Chief Bowsher in the Pawnee School District. Officer Burnley just loves helping people and living in our close knit community.

Officer Bertoni

Officer Bertoni grew up in Springfield and graduated from Lanphier H.S. He and his wife, Angela has resided in Pawnee since 2008. Their daughters, Isabella and Claire attend Pawnee School. Their daughter Meghan attends Benedictine University and is pursuing a degree in nursing.

Officer Bertoni joined the Pawnee Police Department in September 2000. He is the department’s Union Representative, JV Officer, Bicycle Officer, and Range Officer. He has also served as a Military Police Officer for the Illinois National Guard since 1998. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 – 2004.

On his off-time, Officer Bertoni enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.

Officer Stuart

Officer Stuart has been a part-time Police Officer in Pawnee since 1996. He also works full-time as a Police Sergeant at the University of Illinois at Springfield Police Department. Prior, he spent 10 years in the United States Marine Corps and served in Desert Storm. He and his wife, Colleen are parents to Amy and Chris.

Officer Ross

Clyde is 54 and was born in Blue Mound, Illinois. He graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1977. He moved to Springfield, Illinois in 1978. Clyde is married and has five children. He also has two dogs. Before moving to Springfield, Clyde worked for the Blue Mound Police Department for 10 years as a part-time officer. He has worked for the Pawnee Police Department for two years as a part-time officer and was hired to a full-time position on October 14, 2013. Clyde’s comment upon his full-time hired position was, “I am truly happy to serve here.”

Clyde has studied Goju-Ryu karate for 44 years and is an avid fan of the Chicago Blackhawks. His family makes their home in Chatham, Illinois. On his off time he enjoys spending his time with his family and pets.

Officer Birks

Officer Birks joined the Pawnee Police Department part-time in May of 2016 and was hired to a full-time position in February of 2017. Officer Birks holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement. He grew up in Pawnee and enjoys serving the community.

On his off-time, Officer Birks enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.

Officer Herzog

Officer Herzog was born and raised in Taylorville and joined the Pawnee Police Department part-time in January 2018 and full time in August 2018. He graduated from Taylorville High School in 1983. He is widowed and has 5 children and 8 grandchildren. He started his law enforcement career in 1987 and worked in all different aspects of the job from patrol, detective, Sgt, tac team leader, and Chief of Police in other communities. He loves being a police officer and working for the Village of Pawnee.

He enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor hobbies in his off time as well as spending time with his grandchildren.

Officer Cronister

Officer Cronister joined the police department in June of 2018. He has worked as an Assets Protection Specialist for Wal-Mart in Springfield which has given him the opportunity to work with the Springfield Police Department. He grew up in Rochester, IL which is where he graduated high school in 2016. Some of his family grew up in Pawnee and is still living there. He has always enjoyed the community of Pawnee because of how close it is and how well it thrives as a community. He has always wanted to be a police officer since he was young, and states, "he couldn't have picked a better place to do so."

On his off time he enjoys fishing and spending time with friends and family.

Officer Morgan

Officer Morgan joined the Pawnee Police Department in June of 2018. He is a graduate of Auburn High School. He serves full-time in the Illinois Air National Guard as a Security Forces Member. During his five years of service, he has provided Presidential Security twice. Officer Morgan also has served as a Combat Arms Weapons Instructor with the Air Force for the past four years. There he is responsible for providing the weapons training and weapons maintenance for the 183rd Wing so they can protect, defend and fight to enable State, Air Force, Joint and Coalition missions.