Scholarship Established to Honor Longtime DeKalb Police Officer Jim Rhoades

SYCAMORE — The DeKalb County Community Foundation has announced the Jim Rhoades Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund to support DeKalb High School graduates who plan to pursue careers in law enforcement. The fund was created by Sharon Rhoades and her daughters to honor Jim Rhoades, who served the DeKalb Police Department for 53 years and was the department’s longest serving employee. Rhoades graduated from DeKalb High School in 1968, later attended Northern Illinois University on a football scholarship, and began his law enforcement career in 1971 before retiring in 2002 and continuing to serve in a part time role. The endowed fund will provide ongoing scholarship support and preserve his legacy of service, and donations can be made through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.