Roger Scott, longtime DeKalb County sheriff, dies

DeKALB – For most of Roger Scott’s 78 years on this earth, he spent time helping people in the community he’d long since called home.

It seems perhaps fitting then, that even in his absence that mission continues. He did, after all, devote more than 50 years to work in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Many there still speak about the training he gave them, the example he left them, and the respect he showed others along the way as a blueprint for the duties they carry on.

Scott, longtime DeKalb County sheriff who retired in 2021 after more than three decades at the helm, died Sunday night.

Sheriff Andy Sullivan worked with Scott since 1996. The fierce family man, devoted father, humble Christian and stalwart public servant died peacefully at home Sunday surrounded by his family, Sullivan said. He turned 78 in January.

“He was a dear friend, teacher, mentor to so many of us,” Sullivan said in an emotional interview. “And he lived his life selflessly serving others and always was a beacon of inspiration to so many.”

Although Scott’s legacy is most widely known because he served 36 years as elected county sheriff and 52 years total with the office, his family was his greatest pride and joy, Sullivan said.

“He was a huge family man, his family meant everything to him,” Sullivan said. “Of all of his accomplishments, I think his family is his greatest accomplishment for sure. They endured him working in this profession for so long. You miss certain things because the job requires that. But they were his absolute treasure.”

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 36

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott and his wife, Marcia enjoy a moment with three of their ten kids David, (left) 15, Evalina, 7, and Ashton, (right) 11, in their DeKalb home Tuesday. Through the years the Scott's have adopted seven children and fostered over 40. (Mark Busch/Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.co)

‘He was a cop’s cop'

Scott and his wife of more than 50 years, Marcia Scott, lived in DeKalb. Over the years they welcomed into their home more than 55 foster care babies. Together, the Scotts shared 10 children including three biological children and seven they adopted: Nathan, Heather, Daniel, David, Alex, Angie, Ebony, Thomas, Ashton and Evalina.

Scott was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. When he could get the chance on a rare weekend off, he’d take the kids to Wrigley Field, longtime friend and colleague Kevin Hickey said.

Hickey – who said Scott was “more like a brother than a boss” – retired in 2010 after serving 15 years as chief deputy under Scott. The late sheriff was just a lieutenant when he hired Hickey in 1976.

“He was very open with everyone. What you see is what you got with Roger,” Hickey said. “He was very sincere. First and foremost in every decision he made, he was guided by scripture. His faith and his family were of the utmost importance to him.”

Lifelong public service was in his blood even before Scott wore the sheriff’s badge. Before he went into law enforcement, Scott served in the U.S. Air Force. His five brothers also served in the military. One brother, Wilbur Scott, was DeKalb County sheriff from 1970 to 1984. Roger, 12 years younger, took up the helm in 1985. Hickey said Scott always credited his brother Wilbur for laying the foundation.

The late sheriff had an open door policy at work: Whether resident, attorney, County Board member or fellow officer, he’d invite them in and listen.

“Occasionally if people got disrespectful, he was known to throw a person or two out of his office, and that included attorneys,” Hickey said with an amused chuckle.

But Scott also was someone to walk the walk. He kept his boots on the ground even as sheriff. He’d never ask any of his deputies to do something he wouldn’t do himself, Hickey said. If Scott was closest to a 911 call, he’d respond himself. And he’d handle the call from start to finish.

“He was a cop’s cop,” Hickey said.

When Scott wasn’t working, he was simply Dad. On his days off, he took the kids fishing and hiking, he told Shaw Local News Network during a 2019 interview when Marcia received a national award for her work in foster care. The Scotts said at the time they’d rather stay “out of the spotlight.”

Sullivan said he thinks Scott would feel the same way now. A service-before-self kind of guy, Scott wasn’t one to toot his own horn.

A public service-minded community leader who more than once sought reelection as a Republican unopposed, Scott announced his retirement in mid-2021. It came “after several months of prayer and consultation with trusted friends,” he’d said. Scott had worked in the sheriff’s office since 1969.

“My greatest appreciation and love are for my wife, Marcia and all our children who being the sheriff’s family endured and sacrificed much along the way,” Scott said in May 2021 in his retirement announcement.

The late sheriff quoted the Bible in his retirement message. The passage from Romans 13:4 about law enforcement reads “For he is the minister of God to thee for good...and does not bear the sword in vain.”

Sullivan said he still spoke to Scott weekly.

Scott was sheriff when Sullivan, who grew up locally, was just a kid.

“I was 10 years old when he was sheriff,” Sullivan said.

Legacy’s lessons

Sullivan, who started as a corrections officer in the county jail in 1996, then transferred to patrol, later became Scott’s right hand man. He worked as the sheriff’s chief deputy for six years until he himself was elected.

Sullivan said Scott, who he once referred to as a father figure, “served with integrity, honor and distinction.”

Working more than 50 years in a department will teach someone a thing or two about policing. And Scott wasn’t shy about sharing the wisdom he’d gained with others.

Hickey said he doesn’t think another will break Scott’s record for longevity of service in DeKalb County. His lessons in accountability also stand out. Scott believed in the work he did for DeKalb County residents, and felt responsible for them all, Hickey said.

Scott’s death will echo across the state, too. He carried “a deep love” for the sheriff’s office and its mission, Sullivan said. He also was part of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association.

To many outside of the county, Scott was “a tremendous leader,” Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association, said.

“There is no doubt that his passing will leave a tremendous void in his family that he cared for and loved so deeply, but also for all that had the honor of knowing him in the profession that he truly loved,” Kaitschuk said. “His departure is a tremendous loss for this organization, but his stamp of influence will continue to be seen and felt by all involved with the ISA.”

The lessons Sullivan learned from the longtime law enforcement officer stay with him now.

“He helped me learn so many things within this job and within this profession,” Sullivan said.

What kind of lessons? “Making sure that you’re doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time,” Sullivan said. “Always trying to think of the bigger picture at that 19,000-foot level, and trying to make wise decisions.”

Scott’s final day on the job was June 23, 2021. He stayed in touch though.

“Even to this day with both of us retired, we got together for coffees and lunch quite often,” Hickey said. “And that’s going to be a big void, just our personal contact since retirement. I’m going to miss that. And of course I’ll miss his guidance and his counsel. He was very patriotic. He loved his country and loved the people of DeKalb County.”

This story was updated at 6:13 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2025, with additional comment. Further updates could occur.