Macomb, IL – McDonough County Sheriff Nicholas M. Petitgout is pushing back against recent claims made by the county coroner, who alleged the sheriff “forced” a deputy to resign from a part-time position as deputy coroner.
According to a statement released Friday, the sheriff confirmed that Deputy David Burnham — who also serves as the School Resource Officer and Evidence Custodian — stepped down from his coroner duties following concerns over county labor laws and overtime pay.
“This is a matter of potential Department of Labor law violations,” Petitgout stated, emphasizing that off-duty employment for deputies falls under his discretion per union contracts.
Petitgout explained that since both offices operate under McDonough County, additional hours worked by a sheriff’s deputy in another county role would trigger overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate. “I do not believe having a Deputy Sheriff acting as a Deputy Coroner is a cost savings to the County of McDonough,” Petitgout said.
The sheriff further apologized to Deputy Burnham, calling him “a man of great integrity” and condemning what he described as “election shenanigans” that unfairly drew staff into political disputes.
Both offices operate independently but remain under county administration, with union and labor guidelines overseeing employment practices.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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