JERSEYVILLE – The Jerseyville Police Department now has a newly promoted sergeant on staff.
Nick Woelfel was officially promoted from the rank of officer to sergeant at the Sept. 29, 2026 Jerseyville City Council meeting.
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Police Chief Danny Green explained one of the department’s current sergeants, John Lawson, is retiring next summer. By promoting the new sergeant early, Green said Woelfel will have time to complete his First-Line Supervisor Training and settle into the position before Lawson retires.
Green said Woelfel was the “number one” candidate chosen by Jerseyville Police commissioners after a series of oral, written and practical tests. The chief spoke highly of Woelfel’s impact on the department, where he has become a role model for his fellow officers since joining in 2019.
“We’re very lucky to have him. He’s been an exemplary officer his entire time here,” Green said. “He’s the example we want our officers to follow. He gets a lot of our young, new guys and gets to show them the ropes.”
Woelfel previously earned a commendation from the department for his role in saving multiple occupants from a burning home on Dec. 22, 2025. Woelfel climbed onto the home’s front porch roof, forced open a boarded window and helped two people escape onto the roof before climbing down ladders provided by the Jerseyville Fire Department.
More details on the house fire and Woelfel’s previous commendation are available on Riverbender.com.
