On Galesburg’s Morning News, Steve Elliott, a former Galesburg journalist, and David Clague, retired Galesburg Police Lieutenant and Knox County Sheriff, explore their book "A Long Time To Be A Cop," released in June 2025. The book chronicles Clague’s career from 1974 to 2022, covering roles from patrol officer to sheriff, with highlights like high-speed chases, undercover work, and a poignant double homicide case where a surviving child called him "Dave."
- Collaboration and Process: Elliott, inspired by their 1990s reporter-subject rapport, expanded the project from a short idea to a two-year labor of love, interviewing 18-20 people, including law enforcement and judges.
- Broad Appeal: Beyond crime stories, it weaves Galesburg’s history—Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1906 jail built for $14,000—into societal challenges like the Illinois Safety Act and officer health.
- Key Cases: Clague shares the double homicide conviction and the infamous Dr. Santamaria case, while undercover work details add depth.
- Community Focus: Clague emphasizes serving the public, hoping readers see officers’ dedication, while Elliott aims to reflect central Illinois life.
Elliott is an award-winning journalist who worked at daily newspapers for 28 years. Within that time, Elliott spent eight years at The Register-Mail, covering police and courts in Galesburg and Knox County, Illinois. This is his first book.
A book signing is set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 23 at Greenhouse & Decor, 963 E. Main St. The book is available on Amazon in paperback or for Kindle download.
