Joliet cop charged with official misconduct for actions days before he retired

A former Joliet police lieutenant has been charged with official misconduct, theft and drug-related offenses for allegedly taking an opioid from a police department drop box days before he retired from the force.

The felony criminal charges against Dennis J. McWherter, 51, were filed March 22 by the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office.

Joliet police officials did not respond to calls seeking information about McWherter and details about the allegations.

But according to sources, the incident occurred at the Joliet Police Department West Substation, which is in Kendall County.

Information filed with the charges against McWherter state that “he removed hydrocodone, a controlled substance, from a police department drug drop box and kept it in his personal possession.”

Hydrocodone is a painkiller that is considered an opioid.

The information in the charges states that the incident occurred on or about Oct. 29 in Kendall County.

McWherter retired Nov. 10 from the police department.

McWherter was “acting in his official capacity,” and he “unlawfully acquired hydrocodone, a controlled substance, by the use of misrepresentation, fraud or deception,” according to the charging documents.

Charges against McWherter include official misconduct, theft from government property, possession of a controlled substance and obtaining substance by fraud.

The case was investigated by Joliet police, according to an official with the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office.

The Joliet Police Department’s West Substation is located at 7196 W. Caton Farm Road.