Sheriff Mark Vogelzang
Sheriff Mark Vogelzang graduated from Monticello High School in 1990. He continued his education at the University of Illinois earning a degree in Agriculture Economics. Sheriff Vogelzang also graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Staff and Command in 2017.
Sheriff Vogelzang started his law enforcement career in 1996 with the Charleston (IL) Police Department and subsequently transferred to the Champaign Police Department in 2000. While at the Champaign Police Department, Sheriff Vogelzang worked in both Patrol and Investigations. During his career, he served on the SWAT team as an entry team member, sniper, and less-lethal team member. Sheriff Vogelzang ultimately became the SWAT Commander and also supervised the Champaign Police Department’s members in the multi-agency Explosive Ordnance Unit. At the time of his retirement from the Champaign Police Department, Sheriff Vogelzang held the position of Administrative Lieutenant.
On July 1, 2021, Sheriff Vogelzang was sworn in at the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department to serve out retiring Sheriff Hunt’s term.
Chief Deputy Tom Apperson
Apperson is a 2002 graduate of Monticello High School, received an Associate of Arts Degree from Parkland College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
He was first hired into the sheriff’s office as a telecommunicator in 2006 and was later appointed to a position as a deputy sheriff. Apperson graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute in 2007.
During his time as a deputy sheriff, he became a certified Field Training Officer. In 2019, Apperson was promoted to Investigator and obtained certification as a Child Forensic Interviewer and investigated many cases involving the physical abuse, including sexual abuse of children. Apperson also became certified with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board as a Lead Homicide & Death Investigator.
On July 1, 2021, Apperson was appointed by Sheriff Mark Vogelzang to the position of Chief Deputy where he is responsible for overseeing many of the day-to-day operations of the different divisions of the sheriff’s office.
Jail Superintendent Zack Cooper
Jail Superintendent Cooper graduated from Monticello High School in 2009. He continued his education at Parkland College (Champaign, Illinois), where he earned his associate degree, and Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, Illinois), where he earned his bachelor's degree. Superintendent Cooper is also a veteran of the United States Army.
Superintendent Cooper started his law enforcement career with the Piatt County Sheriff's Office in 2012. He graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute in 2013 as a certified law enforcement officer in Illinois.
During his time with the Piatt County Sheriff's Office, Superintendent Cooper worked in Corrections, Patrol, and Investigations. During his career, he served as an FTO (Field Training Officer), Control Tactics Instructor, Evidence Officer, Seizure Officer, and Lead Homicide & Death Investigator.
