EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Deputy Ja'Markus Gary graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy, Session 157, and will begin his field training with the Patrol Division, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.
Deputy Gary, a former McKendree University football player and 2022-23 Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honoree, completed the academy program and is set to contribute to the department’s law enforcement efforts.
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“We are extremely proud of Deputy Gary and look forward to the contributions he will make to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office,” the department said in a statement.
During the 2022 football season, Gary appeared in seven games for McKendree, recording nine tackles, including five against Lake Erie College, and recovering one fumble.
Before his college career, he was a multi-sport athlete at Alton High School in Alton, Illinois, where he earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a junior and First Team All-Conference as a senior in football, in addition to playing basketball.
