SOUTHERN ILLINOIS STATE PLOLICE OFFICERS RETIRE

ULLIN, Ill. -- Trooper George E. Eaker Jr. and Sgt. Jerry C. Mann have retired from the Illinois State Police.

Eaker, of Thebes, retired Jan. 31, after 24 years of service. He started with the Illinois State Police in September of 1968, and was transferred to District 13~A at Cairo in September of 1970. He served in Southern Illinois until his retirement. In August of 1990, District 13A became District 22 at Ullin.

Mann also retired Jan. 31, after 24 years of service. He worked on patrol duties most of his career in Southern Illinois District 13A and District 22 of Ullin. He lives at McClure.

Eaker and Mann were two of eight Southern Illinois officers who announced retirements in January of this year. Others retiring were M/Sgt. Vernon Dreyer, Capt. Gary G. Koenig, Trooper James O. Raes, Trooper Larry L. Wells, M/Sgt. Dwayne Wetherington, and Lt. David Michael Miller.

Dreyer retired after 23 years service. He joined the state police in March of 1970. Dreyer worked in the Springfield area until 1990, when he transferred to District 22 at Ullin. He currently lives in Frohna.

Koenig, who became the first captain at the newly-formed District 22 at Ullin in 1990, retired after 25 years of service.

Raes retired after 23 years of service. He served at District 13A in Cairo, and later in District 22 at Ullin. He lives at Cave-in-Rock.

Wells retired after 25 years of service. He worked out of district 13A in Cairo and District 22 at Ullin since 1990. He lives in Metropolis.

Wetherington, also of Metropolis, retired after 23 years service.

Miller retired after 23 years. He served in Southern Illinois more than 15 years, in District 13 at DeQuoin from 1975 to 1990, and from 1990 to retirement at District 22 at Ullin. He lives in Metropolis.