Dustin Heuerman

Dustin Heuerman was first elected as Sheriff in 2018 and serves as the only openly LGBTQ+ Sheriff in Illinois. His husband is a Nurse Practitioner, and he is a dog dad to two Dobermans and two mini poodles. Dustin has a master’s degree in criminology and a doctorate degree in community college leadership. 2 An underdog in his first election, Dustin ran for Sheriff because he saw the opportunity to represent the LGBTQ+ community in this role and further professionalize the fields of law enforcement and corrections in the county and statewide. He serves in a leadership role (2nd Vice President) in the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, an organization representing Sheriffs statewide, working to positively influence criminal justice practices throughout the State and break down the stereotypes associated with LGBTQ+ individuals in the law enforcement profession. Prior to being elected Sheriff, Dustin served as a faculty member at a local community college, helping criminal justice students get a solid foundation before starting a criminal justice career.