The Macon County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1829 with William Warnick serving as the first Sheriff.  Sheriff Warnick was a personal friend of young Abe Lincoln when the Lincoln family lived in the general area of Warnick's tavern.

Macon County elected the first African-American Sheriff in Illinois with the election of Roger E. Walker Jr. in 1998.  Today, our agency takes pride in the many services we provide the citizens and we are a pro-active force within the community.  Please explore our website so that you can learn more about one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country.

The Office of Macon County Sheriff will strive to serve the community with a highly motivated, professional staff that will treat everyone with respect and courtesy.  Our agency will provide a safe environment by preserving the peace and enforcing our government's laws.  Our men and women, through community service, will work diligently to ensure that Macon County will be a better place to live for everyone.
 

Telephone
(217) 424-1321 Main Office, Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm
Holidays Closed  listed here
(217) 424-1319 Command, 24 Hrs
(217) 424-1341 Corrections, 24 Hrs
(217) 424-1371 Court Security, Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Fax
(217) 424-6010 Command
(217) 424-1499 Corrections
Postal Address (Click on address for map) 333 S. Franklin Street Decatur, IL 62523
Electronic mail
General Information: webmail@sheriff-macon-il.us
Revised on 4/30/2013
Sheriff Thomas P. Schneider
Commander Max Austin
Commander Max Austin started his career at the Macon County Sheriff's Office in 1991. He was hired as a patrolman where he worked until 1994 and was promoted to the detective bureau at that time, serving as the Departments Juvenile officer. In 1995 Max was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to supervise the street Deputies. He remained in that capacity until 2007 when he was assigned to the position of Assistant Jail Superintendant. Max has also overseen the Animal shelter and was a back up to the current EMA director Lt. Jim Root.
Max remained in the capacity of Jail Assistant Superintendant until 2008 and was promoted to Lieutenant of Patrol supervising all aspects of the patrol division. Max was appointed to the position of Administrative Commander in 2010, supervising the entire Department under the direction of Sheriff Schneider.

Commander Austin is a certified Emergency Vehicle Operators Course instructor, and was named Sons of the American Revolution, Deputy of the Year in 1995. Max has thousands of hours of continuing law enforcement training.

Commander Austin has been married to his wife Dawn since 1980 and has two adult daughters, Brittany and Lindsay. He also has a grandson born in 2007. Commander Austin is very proud to be a member of the Macon County Sheriff's Office.
The rapid emergency notification service for Macon County residents.