SR0185 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Sandidge of Alton, who passed away on February 17, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Donald Sandidge was born on April 7, 1937, in Peoria; his parents were Thomas E. and Mary Ellen Sandidge; he graduated from Alton High School in 1956, playing quarterback in the 1955 and 1956 seasons and serving as team captain in 1956; he lettered in both football and baseball; he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 to 1961 and earned the rank of sergeant (E-5); and

WHEREAS, Following his military service, Donald Sandidge joined the Alton Police Department as a patrolman; he moved up the ranks to detective, chief of detectives, captain, and, in 1986, became chief of police and was named Commander of the Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad, becoming the only Illinois officer to command the squad; and

WHEREAS, Donald Sandidge was a member of the Alton American Legion and a life member of VFW Post 1308; he served as treasurer of the Vietnam Memorial Committee, as a board member of the American Cancer Society and as a board member of the Salvation Army; he was a life member of the Southern Illinois Police Chief's Association and a member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police; he also served as past president of the Alton Area boys Tackle Football Inc. and was a member of the K.C. Quarterback Club; and

WHEREAS, Donald Sandidge continued his education throughout his life, earning a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and public administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield; he later graduated from the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Donald Sandidge didn't slow down upon his retirement from law enforcement in 1989; he worked as a probation officer for Madison County and was elected mayor of Alton serving from 1997 to 2009; as mayor, he fixed Alton's infrastructure, repaved hundreds of miles of roads, demolished derelict houses, worked to attract good doctors, and to attract new businesses and developers to the community; he was inducted into Alton High School's Wall of Fame in honor of his over 50 years of public service; and

WHEREAS, Donald Sandidge was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Thomas E. Sandidge Jr.; and his father-in-law, Dennis Whipple; and

WHEREAS, Donald Sandidge is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sheri; his children, Dene Sandidge and Don E. (Leah) Sandidge II; his grandchildren, Chris Sullivan and Chandra and Donetta Sandidge; his mother-in-law, Golda Whipple; his aunt, Joann Ripper; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Denny Dailey, Joy Whipple, Genell Mills, and Melody (John) Tigo; and his nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Donald Sandidge, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Donald Sandidge as an expression of our deepest sympathy.